ActionAid Nigeria has strongly condemned the abductions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Gambarou-Ngala area of Borno State and pupils and teachers of LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State.
Following reports that over 280 pupils and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, were abducted by bandits on Thursday, ActionAid Nigeria called for urgent action to rescue the victims.
The bandits reportedly attacked the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of the state, shooting at their victims before kidnapping at least 280 pupils and teachers from both schools.
This incident occurred shortly after insurgents abducted 200 internally displaced women while gathering firewood in Ngala, Borno State.
ActionAid Nigeria likened these abductions to the tragic incidents involving the Chibok and Dapchi girls, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent a recurrence of such tragic outcomes.
The organization urged the governments of Borno and Kaduna states, as well as the Federal Government, to prioritize the swift rescue of the abductees and ensure their safe return to their families.
It criticized the lack of decisive action taken since the abductions began, calling for accountability and justice for all victims while demanding that security agencies learn from past mistakes and take decisive measures to prevent further harm.
ActionAid Nigeria emphasized the importance of implementing the Safe Schools Initiative to provide a secure learning environment for all children in Nigeria, highlighting the impact of insecurity on the education sector, which has led to millions of children being out of school.
The organization called on the international community, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to join efforts in advocating for the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted IDPs and kidnapped pupils, stressing that their lives and well-being must be the top priority of both state and federal governments.
