Responding to the abduction of over 25 girls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga Kebbi state, Isa Sanusi Director, Amnesty International Nigeria said:
“Mass abductions in Nigeria early today of more than 25 school girls is a shocking indictment of the authorities’ persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have killed thousands of Nigerians in the last decade.”
“The organization is calling on the Nigerian government to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe release and return of the girls abducted to their families. Authorities must also promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, effectively, and transparently investigate the recurring cases of abductions in many parts of the country, make public the findings of any investigation and ensure that the suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials.”
“In addition, authorities have failed to put in place security plans for schools in vulnerable areas despite the abduction of hundreds of schoolchildren. These failures have triggered a decline in school enrollment in a major setback for girls’ education. Nigerian authorities must ensure a safe learning environment for children and address the risks of new abductions in the country.”
“The latest mass abductions clearly show President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen that are increasingly having a free rein across many parts of Nigeria. Whatever security measures being implemented by President Tinubu and his government are clearly not working.”
“Amnesty International is urging the Nigerian authorities to comply with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, to which the country is a state party. Children have the right to protection and education. Authorities must take immediate and concrete measures to prevent abductions that are gradually becoming the norm in Nigeria.”