MINNA — The upsurge of armed banditry and kidnapping activities in Niger become a source of concern to the State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), calling on the government and security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the body Barr. A’ishatu Yusuf in a statement made available to newsmen at the weekend in Minna, expressed dismay and apprehension over the recent abduction of no fewer than 136 Islamiyya pupils at Salihu Tanko Islamiyya school in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of the state for over 20 days now.
“We wish to re-emphasize that children are not to be used as tools of violence and arm-twisting for selfish and ignoble gains. It is unfortunate and disheartening that these children have spent over 20 days in captivity.”
“The organization deeply sympathized with the relations, parents and guardians of the abducted students and staff of the school, stressing, that “we equally send our deepest condolences to the parents of the three-year-old boy who lost his life while in captivity.”
“FIDA as an organization saddled with the responsibility of working to defend, promote and protect the rights of women and children condemned in strong terms the dastardly act against these innocent children,” the statement said.
The body requested government to arrest of the perpetrators of these dastardly acts with the view to face justice.
It however, commended the efforts of the state government’s plans to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims to their families.
