Emma Okonji, Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos and Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over growing attacks on schoolchildren, as well as child abductions in Nigeria, with a call on authorities in the country to do more to ensure that children can safely live and go to school or fetch water without fear of being attacked or taken from their families.
UNICEF, in a statement yesterday by its Executive Director, Ms. Henrietta Fore, lamented that no fewer than 950 students were abducted in Nigeria since December 2020.
Also, people whose children and wards were kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna on Monday, have accused the school authorities of complacency and negligence, for not taking action to beef up security around the premises, after receiving a threat letter from bandits planning to kidnap the pupils.