By Olamide Francis
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has condemned the attack on Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State, by suspected bandits.
The call was made in a statement by the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins while calling on those in authority to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all the missing children, and their safe return to their families.
The UN body while expressing concern over the reported acts of violence on children noted that such attacks violate their fundamental rights.
The statement read: “UNICEF is aware of reports that overnight, armed men attacked the Government Science College in Kagara, in Niger State, Nigeria. According to unconfirmed reports, many students are unaccounted for, though it is not yet clear how many.
“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms any attack on a school and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of any children who may be missing, and their safe return to their families.
“UNICEF is deeply concerned about these reported acts of violence. Attacks on schools are a violation of children’s rights. Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times – and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning.
“We acknowledge the efforts being taken by the Government of Nigeria for the safe return of any missing children”.
Dozens of children, teachers, and their relatives were abducted by gunmen after an attack on the boarding school, the latest in a rising wave of mass abductions and attacks that have beset the country.
A spokesperson for the Niger State government said 27 pupils, three teachers, and a dozen family members of school staff, 42 people in total, were taken.
According to reports, heavily armed gunmen dressed in military uniforms overran the all-boys school between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, killing at least one pupil.