Human rights’ organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the attack and abduction of the 42 school pupils and staff of the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State on Wednesday.
AI has said that the victims need to be rescued immediately and the abductors should be arrested and punished. The body has stressed that the attacks on schools in Northern Nigeria is an attack on education and these are war crimes.
The Director of the AI Nigeria, Dr. osai Ojigbo in a statement stated that the recent attack was a “serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
The statement reads;
The abduction of students by armed groups can severely reduce the availability of and access to education for many children in northern Nigeria, where violent attacks are escalating.”
“We condemn this appalling attack, which is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in northern Nigeria. Attacks on schools and abductions of children are war crimes. Those responsible for the kidnapping must be brought to justice for these and other human rights abuses.
“That this is coming only about three months after a similar incident at a school in Kankara, Katsina state, shows that authorities are not doing enough to protect lives. The children abducted are at serious risk of being harmed. Nigerian authorities must take all measures to return them to safety, along with all children currently under the custody of armed groups.”
“Education is under attack in northern Nigeria. Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. Other children have had to abandon their education after being displaced by frequent violent attacks on their communities, and many teachers have been forced to flee to other states. The Nigerian authorities must act immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education.
“The protection of children’s lives is paramount, and the Nigerian government must ensure that armed groups do not further threaten the country’s educational sector on a rampage across northern Nigeria.”
See tweets below:
The attack on Government Science College Kagara is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, and it undermines the right to education for thousands of children in northern Nigeria. #KagaraAbduction #KagaraStudents
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 17, 2021
The Nigerian authorities must act immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education. #KagaraBoys #KagaraAbduction
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 17, 2021
Education is under attack in northern Nigeria. Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. Other children have had to abandon their education after being displaced by frequent violent attacks on their communities.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 17, 2021
That this is coming only about three months after a similar incident at a school in Kankara, Katsina state, shows that authorities are not doing enough to protect lives. The children abducted are in serious risk of being harmed. #KagaraBoys #KagaraAbduction
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 17, 2021
We condemn this appalling attack, which is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in north. Attacks on schools and abductions of children are war crimes. Those found to be responsible of the abduction must be brought to justice for these and other human rights abuses.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 17, 2021
