"updating an earlier tally of 215 schoolchildren. The tally was changed "after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out," according to a statement issued by the Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN, who visited the school on Friday. He said 88 other students "were also captured after they tried to escape" during the attack."
"Yohanna described as false a claim from the state government that the school had reopened for studies despite an earlier directive for schools in that part of Niger state to close temporarily due to security threats. "We did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame," he said, calling on families "to remain calm and prayerful.""
"School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africa's most populous nation, and armed gangs often see schools as "strategic" targets to draw more attention. UNICEF said last year that only 37% of schools across 10 of the conflict-hit states have early warning systems to detect threats. Niger state has now shut down all schools as a measure to forestall other kidnappings. The decision was in a bid to protect lives and property, Niger Gov. Umar Bago told reporters Saturday after meeting"
Gunmen attacked St. Mary's School in Papiri community, Niger state, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers. Officials updated the count after a verification and final census and reported that 88 additional students were captured while trying to escape. The abducted students, both male and female, ranged from 10 to 18 years old. The kidnapping occurred four days after 25 students were seized in Kebbi state's Maga town, and no group has claimed responsibility. Tactical squads and local hunters were deployed in rescue efforts. Niger state ordered all schools closed to prevent further abductions amid limited early-warning coverage.
Read at www.npr.org
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]