Save the Children, a global child rights group, has urged the Federal Government to provide access to safe, quality and uninterrupted education free from security threats in the country.
Mercy Gichuhi, Nigeria Country Director of the body, made this appeal today in a statement in Abuja, while reacting to the kidnap of over 80 college students and five teachers at the Federal Government College, Birnin-Yauri, in Kebbi State.
She described the incident as “horrifying” and “a grave violation of children’s rights.”
Gichuhi called for the immediate and unconditional release of the victims and a safe return to their families.
She said: “Now more than ever, we urge the Nigerian government to ensure that children have access to safe, quality and uninterrupted education at all levels.
“All children have the right to attend school free from violence and fear.
“This is the third assault by armed gangs on a school or college in Nigeria in less than a month, reportedly by bandits seeking ransom payments.
“Recurring attacks on schools in northern Nigeria is a grave violation of child rights. When will children stop being used as pawns in games played by adults?”
Also, Save the Children expressed concern over Nigeria security challenges and its capacity to host the proposed fourth international conference on safe schools in October.
It said: “In October this year, Nigeria will host the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools and it is one of the first African countries to have endorsed the Safe School Declaration.
“Armed conflict has been interrupting children’s education – a human right – in Nigeria for nearly a decade.
“Save the Children condemns the recurring killings of teachers, attacks on schools, and the kidnappings of school children.
“Save the Children is concerned that the already existing education inequalities in the country will be worsened if similar attacks will not be stopped immediately.”