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Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children

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Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for intensified efforts to protect the country’s most vulnerable population—its children.

The call was made in a statement marking the 10 year commemoration of the abduction of schoolgirls by terrorist group Boko Haram from Chibok, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.

The statement read that: “As Nigeria marks 10 years since the mass Chibok abductions in the Northeast, 90 girls remain in captivity, and the country is recovering from another abduction of schoolchildren in Kaduna state in March of this year. UNICEF is calling for intensified efforts to protect the country’s most vulnerable population—its children.

A report, Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report released by UNICEF on Monday revealed a stark reality that the journey toward ensuring every Nigerian child can learn in a safe environment is far from over.

The report showed that just 37 per cent of schools across 10 states have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate said: “The kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education,” adding that: “Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s futures must be amplified. Given these alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis. Education is a fundamental right and a crucial pathway out of poverty. Yet, for too many Nigerian children, it remains an unattainable dream.”

The analysis looked at six result areas – strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure – and uncovered significant disparities in the implementation of safe school standards across Nigerian states.

It shows Borno State, with a 70 per cent fulfilment of the standards, exemplifies a strong commitment to child safety amidst adversity. Yobe State also demonstrates promising progress. In contrast, Kaduna and Sokoto states lag significantly, with fulfilment rates at just 25 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. In addition to the finding on early warning systems and conflict, the report shows that while schools perform relatively well in terms of training school-based management committees on safety and responding to children’s well-being concerns, only 14 per cent of the participating schools across the 10 assessed states have functioning, safe, accessible infrastructure and just 36 per cent have school staff trained on natural hazards.

According to the statement, “the analysis comes on the heels of disturbing reports of violence affecting schools with brazen abductions of students on the rise. In the last 10 years, conflict-related violence has led to more than 1,680 children abducted while at school and elsewhere; 180 children killed due to attacks on schools; an estimated 60 school staff kidnapped and 14 killed; and more than 70 attacks on schools, according verified reports by the United Nations.

“The threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning. As of 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school, and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks, according to Policy Weekly by Nextier.”

UNICEF Nigeria therefore called for the government, partners, and the international community to take decisive action to: Ensure all schools across all states have the resources and tools to fully implement the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, focusing on the most vulnerable regions; Address critical gaps in safe school infrastructure, preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts, and comprehensive approaches to violence against children; Strengthen law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abductions.

“Prioritize education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children; Ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programmes and through digital platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport.”

UNICEF said it is working with the government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environments, adding that it has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 states, as well as provide school grants, safety kits, training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.

NigerianMunduate said: “As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose right to education has been compromised, let this somber anniversary serve as a catalyst for change. However, we must acknowledge the recent abductions, which underscore the persistent vulnerability of our schools. To ensure that schools are safe havens, strong political will and proper implementation of safe school standards are essential. Together, we can restore trust between educational institutions and the communities they serve, ensuring schools are sanctuaries for learning and growth.”

Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children

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Troops neutralise 16 terrorists, recover cache in Borno ambush

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Troops neutralise 16 terrorists, recover cache in Borno ambush

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Joint Task Force North-East (JTF-NE) under Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Desert Sanity V have neutralised 16 suspected terrorists during an ambush in Borno State.

Zagazola learnt that the operation was carried out by troops of Sector 1 in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Hybrid Forces and local hunters.

According to the sources, the ambush was sprung at about 8:10 p.m. on Sunday at Komala Exchange Point, following a failed attack on Auno and credible intelligence on the movement of the same terrorist logistics elements.

“The troops, working with CJTF and other local components, successfully neutralised 16 terrorists and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition and logistics items,” the source said.

Items recovered from the scene included 62 wrappers, 76 pairs of shoes and slippers, 18 bicycles, 275 sachets of detergent, 50 packs of sweets, assorted local fragrances, milk sachets, vaseline, washing soap, groundnuts, seasoning, fruit drinks, palm oil and groundnut oil, mats, spaghetti, thread, matches, cups and spoons, sieves, flour, salt, bicycle tyres and equipment, sugar, cosmetics, local herbs and a cooler, among other items.

The sources said the recovered items were believed to be logistics supplies meant to sustain terrorist elements operating in the area.

Troops neutralise 16 terrorists, recover cache in Borno ambush

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Bandits injure four in Maradun, Zamfara

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Bandits injure four in Maradun, Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Four people have been injured following an armed bandits’ attack on Kaya Faru Village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Feb. 10 at about 6:00 p.m.

According to the sources, the attackers shot and injured one Bello Yari and three others before fleeing to their hideouts.

“On receipt of the report, operatives visited the scene, and the injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Talata Mafara, for medical treatment,” the sources said.

Bandits injure four in Maradun, Zamfara

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Armed hoodlums abduct five in Alkaleri, Bauchi

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Armed hoodlums abduct five in Alkaleri, Bauchi

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown armed hoodlums have abducted five persons, including one man and four women, from a residence in Unguwan Nasarawa, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Sources said that the incident occurred in the early hours of Feb. 11 at about 2:30 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard in the Mansur axis of Alkaleri.

According to the sources the attackers broke into the house of one Alti Alh. Musa and abducted Usman Musa, Maryam Musa, and three other women of the same household, before fleeing to an unknown destination.

“Upon discovery, joint operatives consisting of the Army, ORP, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, men from Bauchi Metro Area Command,, and professional hunters immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation with a view to rescuing the hostages and arresting the hoodlums,” the sources said.

Armed hoodlums abduct five in Alkaleri, Bauchi

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