NIGER: UN, UNICEF condemn attack on GSC Kagara

*Call for immediate, unconditional release of those kidnapped

THE United Nations’ Secretary General, Antonio Gueterres, has joined other eminent across the globe personalities in condemning the abduction of students and some staff members of  Government Science College, Kagara,

According to the Niger State Government, twenty-seven (27) students and three members of  staff were kidnapped when some gunmen believed to be bandits stormed GSC, Kagara in Rafi Local Government of the state.

The incident happened barely two months after  344 schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina state were abducted by bandits.

The Kankara abduction happened in the home state of President Buhari and coincided with his arrival in the state for  a week vacation.

The ugly development attracted public outrage but the students were released days after their abduction their abduction even though dtails of their release are shrouded in controversy.

But reacting to the Wednesday’s abduction of the staff and students of GSC, Kagara, Guterres, through a statement issued by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, described attacks on schools and other educational facilities as “abhorrent and unacceptable”.

 He urged the federal government to “spare no effort in rescuing those abducted and holding to account those responsible for this act”.

The UN chief expressed his “deepest condolences” to the bereaved and his sympathies to affected families.

Also, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a statement, condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms”.

It called for the “immediate and unconditional release” of any child who might be missing and their safe return to their families.

UNICEF quoted Peter Hawkins, its Nigeria representative, as saying that attacks on schools were a violation of children’s rights.

“Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times,” Hawkins reportedly said.

“Parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning.”

He acknowledged efforts being taken by security agencies to rescue the missing children and safely return them to their families.