ABUJA, Nigeria – 12 March 2024: Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) calls for increased protection of children in northwest Nigeria following the abduction of nearly 300 students last week in Kaduna state. Fifteen more students were also reported to be have been kidnapped a few days later. This appalling act not only violates the rights of children to a safe school environment, but also undermines the fundamental principles of education and security for civilians in the region.
“The abduction of schoolchildren is reprehensible and must be denounced in the strongest terms. Every child is entitled to a secure education, and it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that this right is safeguarded,” said Vianney Bisimwa, CIVIC Program Director, Africa and MENA.
CIVIC calls upon Nigerian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and hold accountable the perpetrators of these crimes in line with national and international human rights obligations. It is likewise imperative that every effort is made to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“CIVIC stands ready to support national and local partners in strengthening protection mechanisms for civilians, including children. No civilian or child should have to go out in the morning and not return at night,” said Bisimwa.
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For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
CIVIC Communications: [email protected]
In The Hague: Hajer Naili, Director of Communications: [email protected] , +31.6.21.69.68.86/ +1.917.889.5982 (WhatsApp)
In Washington, DC: Matt Longmore, Communications and Media Manager, [email protected], +1 208 403 4216 (Mobile and WhatsApp)
