NIGERIA: Around 1,440 school children were kidnapped and abducted in Nigeria in 2021. United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF) revealed that along with this about 25 different school structures across Nigeria have been attacked.
UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office in Nigeria, Phuong Nguyen said this in a report titled, “Children in West and Central Africa among those who suffered highest rates of grave violations in armed conflict.”
In her report, Nguyen also revealed that children in Africa are affected by the insurgency. For a long time, the ill activities of insurgents have drastically impacted the education and living of children. Central and West Africa have suffered consistent attacks for the past five years.
The country has the highest figure in terms of violations and conflicts against children in armed conflict crises. Insurgency ravaging North-East Nigeria has persisted for more than a decade now.
Nguyen also identifies that Nigeria children have continued to be affected by insecurity and crises. As children have been abducted, killed, and displaced. This has resulted in the violation of the children’s rights.
“This is against children’s rights and entire human rights. The situation and conditions of the children in no way accepted anywhere in the world,” Nguyen noted.The report indicates the level of grave violations of children’s rights in Nigeria and West and Central African countries.
“These violations of attack must end by all means so that children should have a chance to grow, learn, work and contribute to the healthy future of this country,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen added that the above-mentioned will only be possible when the rights of children are not in any way tempered, whether by violence or conflict.
She said children “must have an opportunity” to grow, learn, work and contribute to the healthy future of the country. “That can only happen if they are protected from violence and the worst impacts of conflict,” and added.
Also Read: Chinese Government Partners with Nigeria on Digital Economy Development, Technology, Others
