THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has spoken against the abduction of the twenty-one children that took place at a farm in Mairuwa community of Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State by unknown abductors.
The representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, in reaction to this prompted the federal government of Nigeria as well as security operatives in the country to ensure that the 21 abducted children are rescued.
In a terse statement issued on Friday, UNICEF said: “UNICEF is concerned about the report of the abduction of no fewer than 21 children at a farm in Mairuwa community, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, northwest Nigeria.
“Confirmed reports indicate the 21 children – 17 girls and four boys – aged between 15 and 18 were abducted last Sunday at about 12.30 p.m. by ‘bandits’.
“Abduction of children whether at home, at school, on the farm or anywhere else is reprehensible. Children should never be the target of violence, especially by anyone who should be protecting them.
“We call on the authorities to take necessary action to rescue the abducted children and reunite them with their families unhurt, and without delay.
“UNICEF also calls on the authorities to rescue other persons reported to have been kidnapped on the farm at the same time the children were abducted.
“This tragic incident is yet an indication of the danger children face by acts perpetrated by people who should protect them.”
