United Nations (UN) secretary-general, António Guterres has stated that school abductions in Nigeria are developing into an “abhorrent pattern”.
Nigeria especially the north-east has witnessed series of school abductions resulting in the kidnap of no fewer than 700 students and children since December 2020.
In the latest attack targeting schoolchildren, more than 100 pupils and students were abducted from Salihu Tanko Islamiyya school in Tegina town, Rafi LGA of Niger state, on May 30.
The bandits were said to have later contacted the school and demanded N110 million ransom for the release of the students.
Speaking on the development, the secretary-general’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric said Guterres condemned the recent abduction of students from the Islamic school in Niger state.
According to Dujarric, the secretary-general expressed concern over the frequent abduction of schoolchildren in Nigeria, especially considering the impact on their learning process.
“I can tell you that the Secretary-General strongly condemns the abduction of students from the Islamic School in Tegina town, in Nigeria’s Niger State that took place on Sunday, 30 May,” the statement reads.
“He is disturbed by the frequency of abductions for ransom of children from schools by extremist groups and criminal networks. This is developing into an abhorrent pattern, with serious impacts on the children’s well-being and development, as well as for teachers and the families.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that this constitutes a violation of the rights of children to education and underscores the need to hold perpetrators accountable.”