FG appeals for release of students, teachers in captivity

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, yesterday appealed to armed groups holding abducted students and teachers to release them, saying they are innocent casualties of armed insurgency.

He said the government recognizes that access to quality education is a human right of every Nigerian child.

Adamu, who stated this in commemoration the first International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack, decried the abduction of Cbikok girls, Leah Sharibu and other learners and teachers at places of learning as an infringement on their rights to quality education and called for their immediate release by their abductors.

September 9 was declared as the International Day for the protection of Education from Attack by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly to raise awareness on the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict.

Adamu said the protection of learners, teaching and nonteaching personnel, schools and learning centres from all forms of attacks was an obligation of the government and all relevant stakeholders.

He said schools and other learning facilities in different locations in the country had over the years been subjects of attacks by parties in conflicts and communal clashes especially Boko Haram, bandits, thugs and unknown individuals and groups.

He stressed the need for all stakeholders to appreciate and observe the sanctity of learning centres.

Adamu also praised the sacrifices of students, teachers and non-teaching staff who had fallen victims of violent attacks, describing them as fallen heroes of the many instances of attacks on learning facilities.

He however called on communities to take ownership of the protection of schools in their environments as they remain the first point of contact with the school as well as first-line responders in the event of attack.

He called on security agencies to further make more commitments and efforts at ensuring safety of schools and learning centres.