The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over increasing incidents of kidnapping from schools. On 17 February 2021, more than 30 staff and students at the Government Science College in Kagara were kidnapped. Just over one week later on 26 February, 317 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe were also taken.

Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu Esq. said:

The level of insecurity in Nigeria is getting worse by the day and as such poses additional challenge to all the security agencies, particularly the Police, Department of State Service and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps  to do the needful to restore citizens’ confidence in government to protect them.

Our children must be protected from all forms of harm while enjoying their guaranteed rights to education anywhre.

The NHRC has called on the government to take necessary actions to curtail the continuous kidnappings, reiterating the right to education and security, which has been characterised as the bedrock of national development.

Citing several other recent incidents of kidnapping, the NHRC is concerned that the criminal behaviour is escalating while perpetrators escape with impunity. It has urged authorities to pursue these cases, first and foremost so that all children and teachers are safely returned.

Source: National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria