In response to the most recent school attack that resulted in the death of a vice-principal, UNICEF on Tuesday called on the Nigerian government to guarantee the prompt release of the 25 schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi State and to fully implement the 2015 Safe Schools Declaration.
The call came after gunmen killed the vice-principal and kidnapped the pupils at a Government Girls School in the Maga town of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area on Monday. This attack raised fresh concerns about ongoing attacks on schools in the Northwest.
UNICEF Nigeria criticized the event in a statement released by Sussan Akila, the organization’s communication specialist.
“UNICEF strongly condemns the reported attack on a Government Girls School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, which resulted in the death of the school’s vice-principal and the abduction of 25 students,” Akila stated. This terrible event serves as yet another sobering reminder of how critical it is to safeguard kids, schools, and the staff members they depend on to learn in a secure environment.
“We stand with the affected community at this difficult time; our heartfelt condolences go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a full recovery for those injured,” Akila wrote, expressing compassion.
“UNICEF further urges the swift release of the abducted children,” she stated in response to the kidnapping.
Akila also emphasized how important it is to protect educational areas.
“International law should protect students, educational facilities, and their staff from any kind of attack, and those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with national and international standards,” she stated.
“In 2015, the Nigerian government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to safeguard the civilian nature of schools and universities to ensure safe access of students to education during conflict,” she said, citing Nigeria’s pledge from that year.
She advocated for full execution.
According to Akila, UNICEF is collaborating with local governments and communities to enhance child protection and foster safe learning settings.
To avoid disasters in the future, these surroundings and mechanisms need to be strengthened.
The statement went on, “No child should be put in danger while pursuing an education.”
An intergovernmental political pledge known as the Safe Schools Declaration aims to shield educators, students, schools, and universities from the worst consequences of armed conflict.
According to the SSD website on Tuesday, 121 states have endorsed it, including Nigeria, which did so in May 2015.
The House of Representatives decided in April 2021 to look into the purported abandonment of the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative, particularly the N500 million set aside for the rehabilitation of the Government Secondary School Chibok in Borno State, where more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Ahmad Lawan, the Senate President at the time, stated in October that the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative was intended to fail.
