The United Nations and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the unconditional release of all the children abducted by gunmen at the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, on Monday.
Gunmen on motorcycles stormed the Government Science School at Kankara late on Friday and engaged security forces in a fierce gunbattle, forcing hundreds of students to flee and hide in surrounding bushes and forest.
KAtsina State Governor Aminu Masari who visited the school on Saturday said soldiers were working to locate and free the hostages.
On Sunday, the governor noted that 333 students are still missing.
It read, “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the 11 December attack on a secondary school in Katsina State, Nigeria, and the reported abduction of hundreds of boys by suspected armed bandits.
“The Secretary-General reaffirms the solidarity and support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime.”
In the same vein, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-Pierre Poirier, said the Fund condemns in the strongest possible terms this brutal attack and calls for the immediate release of all children and their return to their families.
The statement said in part, “UNICEF is deeply concerned about this act of violence. Attacks on schools are a violation of children’s rights.
Children should feel safe at home, in schools and in their playgrounds at all times.
We stand with the families of the missing children and the community affected by this horrifying event.”
The director acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian government in ensuring the safe return of all the missing children.
According to reports, the children were abducted last Friday night from the boarding school.
Though some of the students had returned, the state government, however, said 333 students were still missing.
