Amnesty International has strongly condemned the recent abductions of over 280 students and teachers in Kaduna State, as well as the horrific kidnapping of at least 200 internally displaced persons in Borno State, describing the incidents as “appalling” and potential war crimes.
In a series of tweets, the human rights organization called on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate action to safely rescue the victims and hold the suspected perpetrators accountable.
Addressing the abduction in Kaduna, Amnesty International stated, “Amnesty International condemns the appalling abduction of 200 primary and secondary school students and their teachers in #Kuriga Kaduna state. We are calling on the Nigerian authorities to safely rescue the students and hold the suspected perpetrators to account.”
The organization emphasized the sanctity of schools as places of safety and learning, asserting that no child should have to choose between their education and their life.
“Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life. The Nigerian authorities must take measures immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education,” the tweet read.
Turning its attention to the abduction of internally displaced persons in Borno State, Amnesty International condemned the actions of Boko Haram, stating, “Amnesty International condemns Boko Haram’s horrific abduction of Internally Displaced Persons in #Borno state. Such abduction of people already devastated by years of #BokoHaram’s atrocities may amount to war crime.”
The organization revealed that its findings suggest at least 400 internally displaced persons could not be accounted for since the incident, raising grave concerns about their safety and well-being.
These abductions have drawn widespread condemnation and outrage from various organizations and authorities, who have called for immediate action to secure the release of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
