On Saturday, UNICEF, a United Nations organization, said it would collaborate with partners to administer mental health, psychosocial support, and counseling services to both the liberated students and their parents.
The UN organization was referring to the abducted students who were able to reclaim their liberty from their kidnappers.
UNICEF expressed relief that 91 pupils from Salihu Tanko Islamiya School Tegina in Niger State, who were kidnapped three months ago, have been released.
The group also decried the death of a boy who died while being taken captive by his kidnappers.
“Children who went in search of knowledge were abducted at their school – which is supposed to be a safe place for them – while exercising their fundamental right to an education,” said the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins.
“They spent 88 days in the hands of their abductors before being freed yesterday. It is a tragedy and utterly unacceptable that one of these children died in captivity,” He added.
At the time of his death, Hayatu Hashimu was only 6 years old.
“We rejoice with the families whose children have been freed – and express our deepest condolences to little Hayatu’s family, who have just suffered the worst loss on top of the tragedy they have gone through for the last 88 days,” UNICEF said.
“No family should lose a child just because it took the right decision to send that child to school. Schools should not be a target. Children should not be a target. Education is a fundamental right of every child and any attack on an educational institution is a violation of that right.
“We reiterate our call to authorities take all necessary measures to ensure schools are safe for all children.”
According to UNICEF, an estimated 200 Nigerian kids are still being held hostage as a result of the school kidnappings that have afflicted the country since December 2020.
More than 1,000 people have been kidnapped in similar attacks since December 2020, according to UNICEF.
The Tegina students’ freedom coincides with the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, which takes place on September 9th.
On the 25th and 27th of October 2021, Nigeria will organize the Fourth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration.
“Ensuring Safe Education for All: From Commitment to Practice”, is the conference’s theme.
108 countries, including Nigeria, have accepted the Safe Schools Declaration, a political pledge to protect education during armed conflict.
The conference in October will be the first to be held in Africa, and it will provide an opportunity to galvanize support for and speed up the implementation of the Declaration by bringing together governments, professionals, and society to share best practices and strengthen cooperation to save lives and protect everyone’s right to education.
