TheCable

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says the federal government must take necessary actions to rescue children abducted on a farm in Faskari LGA of Katsina.

Last week, Bandits kidnapped 21 children comprising 17 girls and four boys, while working on a farm in the Mairuwa community.

According to reports, the bandits carried out the abduction over the refusal of the farm owner to pay a compensation levy the terrorists imposed on all farmers in the community.

In a statement on Saturday, Cristian Munduate, a UNICEF representative in Nigeria, expressed concern over the abduction, adding that children should not be the target of crisis or violence.

“UNICEF is concerned about the report of the abduction of no fewer than 21 children at a farm in Mairuwa community, Faskari local government area of Katsina State, North-west Nigeria,” Munduate said.

“Confirmed reports indicate the 21 children – 17 girls and 4 boys – aged between 15 and 18, were abducted last Sunday at about 12:30 p.m. by “bandits.

“Abduction of children, whether at home, at school, on the farm, or anywhere else, is reprehensible. Children should never be the target of violence, especially by anyone who should be protecting them.”

She called on the government to rescue the children and other persons abducted on the farm.

“This tragic incident is yet an indication of the danger children face by acts perpetrated by people who should protect them,” she added.