By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Global human rights watchdog, Amnesty International has condemned the latest abduction of students by armed bandits in Nigeria.
The condemnation came in a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday.
Gunmen had stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, located in Rafi LGA of Niger State; around 2am Wednesday, abducting staff and students of the school.
The gunmen also reportedly killed one of the students.
The bandits were dressed in military uniforms when they attacked the boarding school. Although some students escaped during the raid, it has now emerged that about 42 persons were abducted.
Reacting to the development, Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, declared it a war crime.
“We condemn this appalling attack, which is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in northern Nigeria. Attacks on schools and abductions of children are war crimes. Those found to be responsible of the abduction must be brought to justice for these and other human rights abuses.
“That this is coming only about three months after a similar incident at a school in Kankara, Katsina state; shows that authorities are not doing enough to protect lives. The children abducted are in serious risk of being harmed. Nigerian authorities must take all measures to return them to safety; along with all children currently under the custody of armed groups.”
Continuing, the Amnesty International representative held that the attacks on students undermine the right to education in Nigeria.
“The protection of children’s lives is paramount…The Nigerian government has a duty to ensure that the country’s educational sector is not further threatened by armed groups on rampage across northern Nigeria.”
“The attack on Government Science College Kagara is a serious violation of international humanitarian law…It undermines the right to education for thousands of children in northern Nigeria. The abduction of students by armed groups can severely reduce the availability of and access to education for many children in northern Nigeria where violent attacks are escalating.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu had dispatched a team of service chiefs to secure the release of the captives.
Also, authorities have confirmed that 27 of those abducted are students while three are staff of the college. In addition, 13 members of the families of the staff were kidnapped. Also confirmed was the death of the student shot by the abductors.