Zamfara: UNICEF Reacts To Abduction Of Jangebe Schoolgirls

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the kidnap of students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Naija News had earlier reported that gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the school in the early hours of Friday and abducted an unconfirmed number of schoolgirls.

The sad incident was confirmed by the Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran while addressing newsmen hours after the kidnap.

This development comes a week after 27 schoolchildren were abducted from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.

In a statement signed by its Country Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF described the kidnap of the Jangebe schoolgirls as “a gross violation of children’s rights.”

Expressing sadness over the incident, Hawkins said the organisation is angered and worried by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria.

He said UNICEF was working to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students, currently estimated to be more than 300.

Hawkins said, “We are angered and saddened and by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria. This is a gross violation of children’s rights and a horrific experience for children to go through – one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being.

“We utterly condemn 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.

“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.“