Bandits stormed the LEA Primary Kuriga around 8:30 am on
Thursday, shortly after the morning
assembly, and whisked away the pupils and staff of the schools.
It was learnt that the secondary school was relocated to the
primary school as a result of insecurity in the area.
The state governor, Uba Sani, however, assured the people of
the state that the abducted pupils would be rescued unhurt.
In the same vein, the NEF said it was saddened by the
worsening state of security in the nation highlighted by the alarming increase
in school abductions.
According to the northern elders, the recent attack and mass
abductions in Kuriga village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have
once again brought to the forefront the grave security challenges facing
Northern Nigeria.
The forum, in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy,
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, released in Kaduna, condemned the heinous act and
expressed deep concern over the escalating wave of school abductions in the
region.
The statement partly read, “This incident, where over 200
students and teachers were kidnapped from LEA Primary school, further
underscores the fragile state of security in the nation.”
They lamented the fact that the abduction of schoolchildren
has now become a common occurrence in Northern Nigeria, posing a serious threat
to education in the region.
The statement added, “This reprehensible act not only
violates the fundamental rights of these innocent children to education but
also instils fear and anxiety among parents and educators.
“The recent wave of school abductions, where innocent
children are being taken from their schools, is particularly distressing. These
incidents not only traumatise the victims and their families but also undermine
the educational system and the future of the nation.”
The forum emphasised the need for a collaborative effort
between the government, security agencies, and local communities to ensure the
safety and security of all Nigerians.
“It is clear that the current security situation is a matter
of grave concern, and all stakeholders must work together to find lasting
solutions to these challenges”, NEF said.
The NEF also highlighted the broader implications of such
acts of violence on the fabric of Nigerian society.
“The continuous occurrence of kidnappings, killings, armed
robberies, and violent attacks, not just in the rural areas but even in the
federal capital, is a stark reminder of the pervasive insecurity that plagues
the nation. It is a tragic reality that Nigerians are living under constant
fear of being targeted by criminal elements.
“The abduction of 200 students in Kuriga village is
particularly distressing, considering that it is the same community where a
school principal was killed and his wife kidnapped just over a month ago. Such
brazen acts of violence demonstrate the brazen disregard for human life and the
rule of law by the perpetrators of these crimes”, NEF said.
The NEF warned that the state of lawlessness is unacceptable
and called for urgent action to restore security and peace in the affected
areas.
“This condemnation should serve as a clarion call for the
government and security agencies to take proactive measures to protect schools,
communities, and vulnerable populations in the North.
“It is imperative that all necessary resources and
strategies are deployed to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and
teachers and to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
“The government must see this as a strong stance reflecting
the collective outrage and concern of Nigerians over the deteriorating security
situation in the country.
“The government must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of
its citizens and take decisive action to combat insecurity and safeguard the
future of the next generation.
“Education is a fundamental right that must be protected at
all costs, and any threat to it must be met with unwavering resolve and
determination.
“May the abducted students and teachers be safely reunited
with their families, and may justice be served on those responsible for this
heinous crime”, they said.