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We’ll Provide Support To Freed Islamiya Students, Parents–UNICEF

Oluwasina Phillip

The United Nations Children Fund has disclosed plans to provide mental health, psycho-social support and counselling services to the freed learners of Salihu Tanko Islamiya School and their parents.

UNICEF, while commending the release of 91 students abducted three months ago, condemned the death of one child who was killed while by the abductors.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, commenting on the development said, “Children who went in search of knowledge were abducted at their school which is supposed to be a safe place for them while exercising their fundamental right to an education.

“They spent 88 days in the hands of their abductors before being freed. It is a tragedy and utterly unacceptable that one of these children died in captivity.

“Hayatu Hashimu was just 6 years old at the time of his death. We rejoice with the families whose children have been freed – and express our deepest condolences to little Hayatu’s family, who have just suffered the worst loss on top of the tragedy they have gone through for the last 88 days.”

According to Hawkins,  no family should lose a child just because it took the right decision to send that child to school.

He urged all authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure schools are safe for all children.

“Schools should not be a target. Children should not be a target. Education is a fundamental right of every child and any attack on an educational institution is a violation of that right,” he said.

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