Human Rights Commission calls for release of abducted school girls

By Peter Bahago, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC in Nigeria has called on security agencies to do all in their capacity to rescue the innocent school children that were abducted in Zamfara State.

The Commission expressed deep concern over the rising cases of kidnapping particularly of boarding schools in some northern part of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu condemned the act in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital while reacting to the recent reports of abduction of over 300 students at Government Girls Science Secondary School Janjebe, Zamfara State.

He said the incident was another wake up call for the law enforcement agencies to up their game in protecting people’s lives and property.

“The level of insecurity in Nigeria is getting worse by the day and as such poses additional challenge to all the security agencies, particularly the Police, Department of State Service  (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to do the needful to restore citizens’ confidence in government to protect them,” Ojukwu stated.

The Commission also called  on the Zamfara state government to reconsider its concept of repentant bandits so that the state government does not elevate criminality to a level where bandits would be dictating conditions for negotiations with government.

Unconditional Release
Mr. Ojukwu further appeal to the abductors to remember that the school girls in their custody are innocent and therefore do not deserve any form of violations or mistreatment, imploring them to ensure their immediate and unconditional release.

The NHRC boss appealed to the parents and guardians of the distressed school girls not to lose hope in reuniting with their children and wards.

he said relevant agencies of government both at the federal and state level are doing the needful to address the unfortunate incident.

 “This cannot be realised where the school environment is not safe and secure for a continuous learning” the Executive Secretary stated.

He reiterated the need for all the stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the Child’s Rights Act 2003, particularly rights to free and compulsory education up to Senior  Secondary School level.

Confidence Okwuchi