By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed concern over what it described as a disturbing development in the handling of schoolchildren abduction cases in Nigeria, warning against any situation where the response to such tragedies appears to depend on location, visibility or public attention.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the continued captivity of the children nearly three weeks after their abduction remained deeply troubling.

The rights group raised the alarm while demanding the immediate rescue of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

The association noted that among the victims are toddlers between the ages of two and four years, describing the incident as one of the most heartbreaking attacks on vulnerable children in recent times.

HURIWA said what it considers particularly disturbing is the apparent disparity in public attention and official response between the Askira-Uba abduction and similar incidents elsewhere in the country.

“Every Nigerian child matters. Every Nigerian child deserves protection,” the group stated.

It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the children.

The organisation also urged the Federal Government to provide regular public updates on rescue operations in order to reassure families that the abducted children have not been forgotten.

Education cannot thrive under fear

HURIWA welcomed recent remarks by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that education remains one of the most effective tools for combating terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation.

However, the group argued that educational advancement can only be achieved where schools, teachers and students are adequately protected from attacks.

According to the association, it is contradictory to encourage school enrolment while educational institutions remain vulnerable targets for terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

The group therefore urged the government to move beyond rhetoric by implementing stronger security measures around schools, particularly in conflict-prone and high-risk communities.

Among the measures proposed by HURIWA are the deployment of specialised security personnel to vulnerable schools, the establishment of rapid-response security units, installation of surveillance and early-warning systems, improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies and expansion of the Safe Schools Initiative across the federation.

HURIWA advocates home education option

The rights group further urged the Federal Government to incorporate structured home education and remote learning alternatives into Nigeria’s national education framework.

It argued that such options would help ensure continuity of learning for children living in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges.

According to HURIWA, a regulated home education system supported by digital learning platforms and community-based learning centres would provide safer educational alternatives whenever conventional schooling becomes temporarily unsafe.

Commends rescue of Adelabu’s sister, children

The association also commended the Nigeria Police Force for the successful rescue of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin children following their abduction.

While describing the rescue as commendable, HURIWA said the operation demonstrates that effective security interventions are achievable when adequate resources and urgency are deployed.

The organisation, however, stressed that similar commitment should be extended to all victims of kidnapping irrespective of social status, political influence or economic background.

“Security and justice must never be determined by social standing, political connections or economic privilege. Every Nigerian life carries equal value under the Constitution,” the statement added.

Demands

HURIWA called for the immediate rescue and safe return of the abducted Askira-Uba schoolchildren, comprehensive security protection for schools nationwide, full implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, incorporation of home education into Nigeria’s educational framework, equal treatment of all kidnapping cases, and regular public briefings on rescue efforts.

“Nigeria cannot claim to be winning the war against terrorism while schoolchildren continue to be abducted from classrooms.

“The safety of our children is non-negotiable. The time for decisive action is now,” the group stated.