In a heartfelt appeal, Nigerian children have implored the federal government to prioritize the implementation of the national policy on safety, security, and violence-free schools.
The Deputy Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, Ibrahim Zanna Sunoma, expressed this urgent call in a statement released on Thursday.
This plea comes in response to a report by the civil society group, Save the Children, which revealed that since 2014, over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped in Nigeria. Tragically, out of these incidents, more than 180 children lost their lives, and close to 90 sustained injuries in 70 separate attacks spanning from April 2014 to December 2022.
Zanna emphasized that this dire situation is resulting in a mass exodus of children from schools and widespread closures, jeopardizing the future prospects of the nation.
He fervently appealed to the government to implement the national policy on safety, security, and violence-free schools across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We implore the government and other relevant stakeholders to prioritize the expansion of the Safe Schools Declaration, ensuring that children can learn in a protected environment,” Zanna pleaded.
He further urged all levels of government to diligently execute the national policy on safety, security, and violence-free schools, advocating for enhanced measures to prevent attacks on educational institutions. Zanna emphasized the need for increased investments and funding across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to safeguard education from such assaults.
Famari Barro, the Country Director at Save the Children Nigeria, had previously cautioned that more concerted efforts are required to prevent attacks and to provide support for affected children and their families in the aftermath of such acts of violence.
