The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the immediate release of 100 school girls abducted from their hostel in Chibok, Borno.
In a statement, Manuel Fontaine, the agency’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa of UNICEF condemned the abduction by gunmen and expressed deep concern about the persistent trend of attacks on innocent children who are future leaders of the nation.
“Such brutal acts of violence are unacceptable,” said Mr. Fontaine. “Attacks on schools deny children their right to learn in a safe environment and can rob them of their future. Wherever it takes place, abduction of children is a crime and illegal under international law.”
The UN agency recalled that in February some unidentified gunmen killed 53 school children of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe.
It said such brutal act could deny children their right to learn in a safe environment and rob them of their future.
“Wherever it takes place, abduction of children is a crime and illegal under international law,’’ it said.
The agency further called for greater efforts to protect all children throughout Nigeria.