By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The United Nations through its agency, UNICEF wants authorities in Nigeria to activate actions that would lead to arrest and prosecution of bandits for committing atrocious murders, rape and killing of children.
UNICEF described as unacceptable, the unwillingness of the federal government of Nigeria to take drastic actions against those who abducted school children, killed women and teachers, and raped young schoolgirls.
At a press briefing in Maiduguri, North East Nigeria on Friday ahead of commemoration of World Humanitarian Day, the Country Representative of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Cristian Munduate Cristian also called for proper strengthening of judiciary systems.
She further warned that the barbaric act should stop so that children could go to schools without fear of being kidnapped or raped.
“So, yes it is bad. You can read these on a daily basis on the number of attacks on the community and schools. Just a couple of days ago, teachers were attacked and unfortunately, they were murdered. This aspect requires immediate action.
“It is not acceptable that bandits are not taking to courts and they have been assaulting, killing children and women; abducting and raping etc. It scares me, if there is any process, I think there is no proper punishment for these people legally.
“We have international laws and also a legal system. Of course, the country has their national laws and these laws have to be applied,” she stated.
Hundreds of schoolgirls are believed to be in the captivity of bandits and ISWAP-backed Boko Haram terrorists, particularly in North East and North West Nigeria.
Several schools in the region have remained shut for years over threat of mass abduction by terror organisations.
At least 100 out of 276 girls abducted from Government Secondary School Chibok in Borno State in 2014 have not been accounted for.
