The United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over the attack on Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Talata-Mafara Local Government of Zamfara State, where more than 300 girls were kidnapped.
This is contained in a statement issued by the UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Mr Peter Hawkins, through the UNICEF Communications Specialist, Mr Sam Kaalu, and made available on Friday.
While condemning the attack ,UNICEF described it as a gross violation of children’s rights and a horrific experience for children to go through and urged Government to take steps to ensure their safe release.
The statement read “We are angered and saddened and by yet another brutal attack on schoolchildren in Nigeria.
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“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,” said Peter Hawkins.
“UNICEF acknowledges efforts being made by the Government of Nigeria to secure the release of kidnapped schoolchildren 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 is working with partners to confirm the exact number of kidnapped students, currently estimated to be more than 300.
