One of the killed students, Dorathy Tirnom Yohanna
By Banji Ayoola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has led angry Nigerians in their scores who hit the social media and condemned the gruesome killing of three of the abducted students of a private university, Greenfield University, Kasarami in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, by their abductors.
At the same time, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has petitioned the United Nations Human Rights office led by the High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, to appoint a country rapporteur to examine the growing attacks on students, teachers and their families in Nigeria.
The former Vice President wrote via his Twitter handleAtiku Abubakar@atiku· “Heartbreaking to learn of the killing of 3 of the abducted students of Greenfield University, Kaduna. How long shall we continue to lose precious souls? May their families and friends be comforted. It is time states are granted constitutional roles in the management of security.”
Also, former Aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, wrote in his handle
Femi Fani-Kayode@realFFK· “6 killed in Ekiti on April 20th. 40 kidnapped at Greenfield University, Kaduna on April 21st. 18 kidnapped in Oyo on April 22nd. 45 killed in Zamfara on April 22nd. 83 killed in Zamfara on April 23rd. 3 killed from Greenfield University,Kaduna on April 24th. All in a week!”
On his own, Senator Uba Sani Senator Uba Sani@ubasanius
Debo Macaroni: “The deaths of three of the abducted students from Greenfield University is indeed sad. May God grant the families the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Three families thrown into mourning because Insecurity and Terrorism has become the order of the day in our country!”
Ada Campbell@Adacampbell· “Three of the students abducted from Greenfield University, Kaduna have been killed. No word from the CSO or commander in chief. The Nigerian government is busy standing by terrorist sympathisers while citizens are being killed by terrorists.”
Bulama Bukarti@bulamabukarti“Kaduna State has announced that three of the Greenfield University students abducted Tuesday have been killed. Unbelievable that three days on, there’s no official confirmation on the number kidnapped. Vanguard had reported that they’re 23 and the abductors have demanded N800m.
“Meanwhile, 29 of the Afaka students abducted on 11 March are still in the brutal custody of their kidnapers. It’s clear our rulers don’t care. The public and the media have become numb. From the look of things, the situation will continue to worsen and any of us can fall victim.”
General Shaba Baba Muhammad@spychief· “This is sad . There must be a way to stop this criminals.”
Benjamin Nwosu.@BenjaminNwosu“I want to rule, I want to rule. Now, you’re in power but can’t do the basic things. Shame on all these looters that call themselves leaders.”
olajide osadare@OOsadare “This nation has failed the Nigerian youths and our political leaders have equally failed us. As a nation we now lead in all the bad indices not for lack of potentials but purposeful and competent leaders.”
More than enough@JudithSaleh· “El rufai’s unguarded utterances concerning the “bandits” is what has pushed kaduna state into the mess it found itself.What is it with this ego he is exhibiting, threatening parents not to negotiate for the release of their children. So the children should die for all he cares.”
Dr. Ayomiku@majek_ayomiku·”Several solutions have been laid out but a dummy government with a stiff neck refuses to hearken to the voice&outcry of the people. What have we done to deserve a govt that has zero regards for the life of its citizens; same people who entrusted you with their lives.”
Reacting to the killings, SERAP, according to The Punch, called on the UN to investigate the failure of authorities in Nigeria to prevent the attacks and hold perpetrators and their sponsors to account.
Segun Adewole23 April 2021
The bodies of the three students were found on Friday days after bandits stormed their school and abducted them along with their colleagues.
Reacting, SERAP in a statement said, “The killing of these students is a grim reminder of the horrific toll that the violence and insecurity across Nigeria is having on children and their education.
“The attacks on students are increasing, and Nigerian authorities are unwilling or unable to stop the attacks.
“The authorities have refused to promptly and effectively investigate reports of attacks on students, teachers and their families, to prosecute the terrorists and their sponsors, and to provide effective remedies to victims.
“We are calling on @mbachelet @UNHumanRights to appoint a country rapporteur to examine the growing attacks on students, teachers and their families, and the authorities’ failure to prevent the attacks and hold perpetrators and their sponsors to account.
“We urge @mbachelet @UNHumanRights @UN_SPExperts to publicly condemn the continuing insecurity and attacks on students in the country and to urge Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety and security of students, and to promptly secure the safe release of all abducted students.
“We also urge @mbachelet to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to urgently protect schools across the country, carry out a credible investigation on the abduction and killing of the Greenfield students, and ensure that those responsible for these atrocities are held to account.
“The killing of students and attacks on educational facilities constitute serious violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights law.
“@NigeriaGov @NGFSecretariat need to do more to ensure that children can study safely.
“The authorities should deter further attacks and secure Nigerian children’s right to education.”
