Jangebe Abduction: Attack a violation of children’s rights – UNICEF

UNICEF has described the reports of an overnight attack at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, north-west Nigeria, as a gross violation of children’s rights.

The UN agency also states that the attack is a horrific experience for children to go through calling it one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins made this known in a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja.

According to Hawkins, “we are angered and saddened and by yet another brutal attack on school children in Nigeria,” 

“We utterly condemned the attack and call on those responsible to release the girls immediately and for the government to take steps to ensure their safe release and the safety of all other schoolchildren in Nigeria.”

 “Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times – and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning,” said Peter Hawkins.

 “UNICEF acknowledges efforts being made by the Government of Nigeria to secure the release of kidnapped school children in Nigeria and calls on the government and all concerned to make schools safe in Nigeria.”

 The school attack comes just over a week after a similar attack in Niger State on a school for boys.

UNICEF added that the organisation is working with partners to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students, currently estimated to be more than 300.

Zainab Sa’d