April 19, 2024 16:04 (IST)
Follow us:
Nigeria: UN seeks immediate release of abducted school girls
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have condemned the abduction of some 100 school girls from their hostel in north-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday and called for their immediate release.
Describing the abduction that occurred in Chibok in Borno state as “shocking,” Ban called for the safe return of the girls, all between the ages of 12 and 17, to their families.
He added that the targeting of schools and school children is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. “Schools are, and must remain, safe places where children can learn and grow in peace,” the Secretary-General said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.
Both Ban and UNICEF voiced deep concern about the increasing frequency of attacks against educational institutions in Nigeria. Most recently, unidentified gunmen killed 53 children at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, Yobe state, in February.
“Such brutal acts of violence are unacceptable,” Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said in a statement. “Attacks on schools deny children their right to learn in a safe environment and can rob them of their future.”
Monday night’s attack on the Chibok school took place hours after over 70 people were killed in a bomb attack at a bus station in the Nyanyan neighbourhood, close to the capital, Abuja.
“UNICEF expresses its deepest solidarity to all the communities affected by these horrific acts, and stands with the families of the abducted children in these difficult times. The agency calls for greater efforts to protect all children throughout Nigeria.”
North-eastern Nigeria has been prone to attacks by Islamic militants who have in the past targeted civilians, including students and worshippers, politicians, members of Government institutions and foreign nationals.
(Since June 2013, attacks in northeastern Nigeria have resulted in school closures affecting thousands of students, many of whom have had no access to education in months. Photo: UNICEF/NYHQ2007-0515/Nesbitt)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
The Maldives 'debt distress': President Muizzu faces domestic outrage over China affinity Fri, Apr 19 2024
Israeli missile hits Iran as tension escalates in Middle East Fri, Apr 19 2024
Maldives opposition demands President Muizzu's impeachment over leaked reports alleging corruption by him Fri, Apr 19 2024
US reacts to Elon Musk's X post on India's permanent UNSC seat Thu, Apr 18 2024
TikTok's separation from parent ByteDance superficial; sent US users' private data every 14 days to China: Report Thu, Apr 18 2024
Pakistan bans X over alleged 'misuse' Wed, Apr 17 2024