On the occasion of the abduction of 276 female pupils of a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists, the Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect children.

In a statement it issued yesterday, the organization reckoned that no fewer than 98 of the schoolgirls abducted nine years ago were still in captivity.

It also said that more than 61 other children were still being held in captivity two years after they were abducted by gunmen, noting that lack of accountability for crimes against children emboldens impunity.

“Parents of the 98 Chibok school girls who are still being held by Boko Haram — as well as other children abducted by gunmen — are living in anguish, knowing that their children are in the hands of ruthless individuals who subject their loved ones to chilling brutalities,” said Isa Sanusi, Acting Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“It is beyond time that the Nigerian authorities took meaningful action to counter armed groups like Boko Haram and gunmen. Nigeria has an obligation to implement safeguards to protect all children, and the lack of accountability for these callous crimes is fueling impunity.

“The missing Chibok school girls should be returned home to their families, and all those responsible for committing grave violations must face justice.”

Between December 2020 and March 2021, there have been at least five reported cases of abductions in northern Nigeria, including from schools, at Kankara, Kagara, Jangebe, Damishi Kaduna, Tegina and Yawuri while the threat of further attacks has led to the closure of over 600 schools in the north of the country.

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