We’re horrified by another attack on educational institution in Zamfara, says UNICEF

The United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria office has declared that it is horrified by yet another attack on an educational institution in Nigeria.

This followed the abduction of 73 students and a teacher of Government Day Secondary School, Kaya in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Wednesday.

According to a press release from UNICEF made available to journalists in Bauchi State on Thursday, of the abducted students, 23 escaped and returned home–two of them with bullet wounds aged between 14 and 19.

The release said: “We strongly condemn this attack which happened just a few days after kidnapped students of a school in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, were freed,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

“We call on the authorities to take expedited action to rescue these students and reunite them with their families.”

“We reiterate that attacks on schools and abduction of learners are a gross violation of children’s rights and a horrific experience for children to go through – one which could have long-lasting effects on their mental health and overall well-being,” said Hawkins.