Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Moustapha Cissé Lo, addressed the close of the Ordinary Session of the parliament in Abuja on Saturday, 1 June 2019. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the immediate release of the 80 children kidnapped in Zamfara State.
On 7 April 2023, bandits abducted at least 80 children, aged 12 to 17, in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, according to BBC Hausa. Parents who spoke to the British media outlet said the victims were in the bush fetching firewood at about 8 a.m. when the assailants rounded them up and marched them into the forest. Despite government interventions, bandits continue to attack residents in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ECOWAS Commission condemned the terrorist act and urged all relevant authorities to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The statement read: “The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States is following with grave concern reports about the kidnapping of 80 children by unidentified armed elements on 7 April 2023 in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The ECOWAS Commission roundly condemns this dastardly terrorist act on innocent children and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. It calls on the Nigerian authorities to promptly hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous act and bring them to justice. The Commission stands in solidarity with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the affected families in this difficult moment. It reiterates its commitment to continue accompanying the Government in the fight against terrorism and banditry.”
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