UNICEF says schools in Nigeria should be safe spaces and students protected at all times. It made the call in a statement on the return of girls abducted from a school in Dapchi, Yobe, state, north east Nigeria. UNICEF Nigeria, Country Representative Mohamed Malick Fall, says UNICEF is delighted that the girls abducted on 19 February 2018 were returned to their families.
“We are pleased to see that the girls are back in the safe environment of their families. UNICEF is working closely with the Ministry of Youth in Yobe state to provide the necessary support to the girls and their families. Over the last one month, the girls may have been exposed to physical and sexual violence. They need the support of their families and communities to feel safe and return to school”. Fall said.
He said that “UNICEF is also working with civil society organizations to ensure that each girl receives individual attention, from medical treatment to psychosocial support”.
UNICEF also expresses its condolences to the families whose daughters could not come home.
“As we await further confirmation, five girls have reportedly died. UNICEF grieves with the families who lost their daughters. We are grateful for the efforts of all parties in ensuring safe return of the girls to their families“. It said.
