The United Nations Secretary-General has called for the 鈥渋mmediate and unconditional鈥� release of hundreds of boys, believed abducted by suspected bandits, after an attack on their school in northwest Nigeria.
More than three hundred children are reported to be still missing, with many feared abducted, after armed gunmen stormed the all boys Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina state, late Friday evening (local time). 听
In a听statement听issued by his spokesperson,听Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres听strongly condemned the attack and called for the children鈥檚 safe return to their families.听
鈥淗e reiterates that attacks on schools and other educational facilities constitute a grave violation of human rights. He urges the Nigerian authorities to bring those responsible for this act to justice,鈥� the statement added.听
Mr. Guterres also reaffirmed听 the UN鈥檚 solidarity and support to the Government and people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.听
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The UN Children鈥檚 Fund () also denounced the attack and called for the children鈥檚 release.听
In a separate听, Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said that the violence 鈥渋s a grim reminder鈥� that abductions of children and widespread grave violations of children鈥檚 rights continue to take place in northern Nigeria.听
鈥淐hildren should feel safe at home, in schools and in their playgrounds at all times. We stand with the families of the missing children and the community affected by this horrifying event.鈥澨�
In February 2018, Boko Haram insurgents听听from a secondary school in the town of Dapchi, in northeast Nigeria. Six years ago, in 2014, the militant group听. Many of them remain missing.听
