Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the federal government to ensure the safe release of students kidnapped by bandits in Sokoto and Kaduna states. Speaking at the launch of the WTO-ITC 2024 technical assistance program for Nigeria in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her deep concern over the abductions.
She emphasized the importance of education in creating economic opportunities and lamented the recurring incidents of abductions, stating, "As a mother, grandmother, educator, and advocate for education, I am saddened by the recent abductions of hundreds of our school children and teachers."
Okonjo-Iweala expressed hope for the swift recovery of the abducted students, particularly those from Government Secondary School Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna and Gidan Bakuso in Gada LGA of Sokoto. She underscored the need for concerted efforts, including collaboration with the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to secure the release of the students.
In recent incidents, over 200 students were abducted from Government Secondary School Kuriga in Kaduna, while about 15 Tsangaya students were kidnapped in Gidan Bakuso, Sokoto, with several others reported missing. The abductions have sparked outrage and renewed calls for decisive action to address the security challenges facing the country.
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