Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPNN) is excited and relieved with the announcement on the release of abducted school children by bandits in LEA primary school in Kuriga, Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna state on 7th March, 2024.
In the same vein, we also express our joy and excitement with the release of the 17 children abducted on 9th March, 2024 from a Tsangaya school in Gidan Baya in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
These releases have proved to us that the Nigeria president and the different state governors (Kaduna and Sokoto) truly listened and acted on the cries of the abducted children, their parents, concerned bodies and actors like ours.
Recall that following these events, CPN Nigeria organised a press conference to express our dismay at the sad and unfortunate incident while some state chapters of CPN with other key actors in the states embarked on peaceful protest and gatherings to condemn and seek action to put an end to child kidnapping. Also, in order to ensure the kidnapped children are not forgotten by members of the society and the government, CPN and her members embarked on a daily campaign using our social media platforms to bring to everyone’s consciousness the number of days spent in captivity by these children while painting a picture of the kind of situation and level of abuse they may be subjected to as a result.
While rejoicing over the safe return, CPN uses this opportunity to call on the government to pay more attention to the safety of schoolchildren and provide adequate security measures in schools across Nigeria as budgeted for under the Safe School Initiative. Public and private-owned schools must be mandated to have secured fences, have functional security alarm connected to emergency units in each state, while government have in place a strong and vibrant emergency responses well equipped with land, water and air security equipments and gadgets.
As we pray and hope that such calamity and traumatic events will not befall schoolchildren in any part of the country again, we sincerely thank the federal and state government, the security personnel, and all relevant statemen for the safe return of our precious children.
We wish to state that CPN members are ready and available to support and provide, where and when necessary, psychosocial support and counselling services to the released children and their families, as well as the school teachers and administrators.
CPN…our CHILD, our PRIDE!
E-signed,
Olakunle Sanni
National Coordinator,
Child Protection Network Nigeria
