About 16 students have been killed by bandits and terrorists while 1,409 have been kidnapped from their schools nationwide since 2020, an international human rights organisation under the aegis of Plan International Nigeria, said on Thursday.
The organisation, therefore, called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards the protection of children in schools.
The Interim Country Director of PIN, Robert Komakech, stated these in a statement to commemorate the 61st independence anniversary of Nigeria.
He said, “As primary and secondary schools across the country reopen for a new academic session, many children are unable to return to their classes for learning due to the unacceptable level of insecurity and abduction of students.
“From available records, at least 1,409 students have been kidnapped from their schools in the country since 2020 and as many as 16 are reported to have died or been murdered by the gangs. While some have been released, there are many still being held captive. No child should be subjected to the horror of any kind. Abduction for ransom has attained epidemic proportion with education and students especially girls, being the hardest hit.”
Komakech recalled that schools in Kaduna and Zamfara states, in North-West Nigeria had been shut down for weeks due to the incessant killing and abduction of students and teachers.
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