The Prof. Ango Abdullahi-led Northern Elders Discussion board, on Saturday, expressed concern over the kidnapping of no fewer than 287 pupils and academics of the Authorities Secondary College and LEA Main College, Kuriga 1, in Chikun Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State by bandits.
Bandits stormed the LEA Main Kuriga round 8:30 am on Thursday, shortly after the morning meeting, and whisked away the pupils and workers of the faculties.
It was learnt that the secondary college was relocated to the first college because of insecurity within the space.
The state governor, Uba Sani, nevertheless, assured the folks of the state that the kidnapped pupils could be rescued unharmed.
In the identical vein, the NEF mentioned it was saddened by the worsening state of safety within the nation highlighted by the alarming improve in class abductions.
Based on the northern elders, the current assault and mass abductions in Kuriga village, Chikun Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State have as soon as once more dropped at the forefront the grave safety challenges dealing with Northern Nigeria.
The discussion board, in a press release by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, launched in Kaduna, condemned the heinous act and expressed deep concern over the escalating wave of faculty abductions within the area.
The assertion partly learn, “This incident, the place over 200 college students and academics have been kidnapped from LEA Main college, additional underscores the delicate state of safety within the nation.”
They lamented the truth that the kidnapping of schoolchildren has now develop into a standard prevalence in Northern Nigeria, posing a critical risk to schooling within the area.
The assertion added, “This reprehensible act not solely violates the elemental rights of those harmless youngsters to schooling but in addition instils concern and anxiousness amongst dad and mom and educators.
“The current wave of faculty abductions, the place harmless youngsters are being taken from their faculties, is especially distressing. These incidents not solely traumatise the victims and their households but in addition undermine the tutorial system and the way forward for the nation.”
The discussion board emphasised the necessity for a collaborative effort between the federal government, safety companies, and native communities to make sure the security and safety of all Nigerians.
“It’s clear that the present safety state of affairs is a matter of grave concern, and all stakeholders should work collectively to search out lasting options to those challenges”, NEF mentioned.
The NEF additionally highlighted the broader implications of such acts of violence on the material of Nigerian society.
“The continual prevalence of kidnappings, killings, armed robberies, and violent assaults, not simply within the rural areas however even within the federal capital, is a stark reminder of the pervasive insecurity that plagues the nation. It’s a tragic actuality that Nigerians reside beneath fixed concern of being focused by felony components.
“The kidnapping of 200 college students in Kuriga village is especially distressing, contemplating that it’s the identical group the place a faculty principal was killed and his spouse kidnapped simply over a month in the past. Such brazen acts of violence reveal the brazen disregard for human life and the rule of legislation by the perpetrators of those crimes”, NEF mentioned.
The NEF warned that the state of lawlessness is unacceptable and known as for pressing motion to revive safety and peace within the affected areas.
“This condemnation ought to function a clarion name for the federal government and safety companies to take proactive measures to guard faculties, communities, and susceptible populations within the North.
“It’s crucial that every one crucial assets and methods are deployed to make sure the secure return of the kidnapped college students and academics and to stop such incidents from recurring sooner or later.
“The federal government should see this as a robust stance reflecting the collective outrage and concern of Nigerians over the deteriorating safety state of affairs within the nation.
“The federal government should prioritise the security and wellbeing of its residents and take decisive motion to fight insecurity and safeguard the way forward for the following era.
“Training is a elementary proper that should be protected in any respect prices, and any risk to it should be met with unwavering resolve and willpower.
“Could the kidnapped college students and academics be safely reunited with their households, and should justice be served on these chargeable for this heinous crime”, they mentioned.
