The NEF condemns that school abductions violate students' right to an education

Concern about the kidnapping of at least 287 students and teachers from the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State by bandits was voiced on Saturday by the Northern Elders Forum, which is led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi.

Just after the morning assembly on Thursday, at approximately 8:30 a.m., bandits broke into LEA Primary Kuriga and took the students and teachers hostage.

It was discovered that the area’s insecurity led to the secondary school’s relocation to the primary school.

Nonetheless, Uba Sani, the state governor, gave the residents of the state assurances that the kidnapped students would be returned safely.

Similarly, the NEF expressed its sadness about the country’s deteriorating security, which was brought to light by the startling rise in kidnappings at schools.

The elders of the north claim that the latest attack and widespread kidnappings in Kuriga village, Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, have once again highlighted the serious security issues that Northern Nigeria faces.

The forum denounced the horrific conduct and voiced serious worry over the rising number of school abductions in the area in a statement issued in Kaduna by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman.

The statement said, in part, “This incident further underscores the fragile state of security in the nation, as over 200 students and teachers were kidnapped from LEA Primary school.”

They bemoaned the reality that kidnapping pupils has turned into a regular occurrence in Northern Nigeria, endangering the quality of education in the area.

“This abhorrent act not only violates these innocent children’s fundamental rights to an education, but it also instills fear and anxiety among parents and educators,” the statement continued.

“The recent wave of school abductions, where innocent children are being taken from their schools, is particularly distressing. These incidents not only traumatise the victims and their families but also undermine the educational system and the future of the nation.”

In order to guarantee the safety and security of every Nigerian, the forum emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the government, security services, and local communities.

“It is clear that the current security situation is a matter of grave concern, and all stakeholders must work together to find lasting solutions to these challenges”, NEF said.

The NEF also emphasized the wider effects on the structure of Nigerian society that these violent acts have.

“A clear reminder of the widespread insecurity that afflicts the country is the ongoing incidence of kidnappings, murders, armed robberies, and violent attacks—not just in rural areas but even in the federal capital. Tragically, Nigerians always have to worry about becoming the target of criminal activities.

Considering that Kuriga Village is the same place where a school principle was assassinated and his wife was kidnapped a little more than a month ago, the abduction of 200 pupils there is very upsetting. According to NEF, “such blatant acts of violence demonstrate the perpetrators of these crimes’ brazen disregard for human life and the rule of law.”

The NEF demanded immediate action to restore security and calm in the impacted areas, stating that the current state of anarchy is intolerable.

“The government and security services should take decisive action to safeguard schools, communities, and vulnerable persons in the North in light of this censure.

“It is essential that all available tools and tactics be used to guarantee the safe return of the instructors and kids who were abducted and to stop similar instances from happening in the future.

“This is a strong stance that the government needs to understand reflects the outrage and concern that Nigerians have for the country’s deteriorating security situation.”

“The government ought to put its residents’ safety and well-being first, move decisively to fight insecurity, and protect the next generation’s future.

“The right to education is an essential one that needs to be upheld at all costs. Any threat to this right needs to be confronted head-on with unyielding resolution and conviction.

“May the abducted students and teachers be safely reunited with their families, and may justice be served on those responsible for this heinous crime”, they prayed.