ECOWAS condemns the kidnapping of 80 children in Nigeria and calls for their “immediate and unconditional release”

12 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed its “great concern” over the kidnapping last week of 80 children at the hands of unidentified armed persons in the Nigerian state of Zamfara (north) and has demanded their release.

“The ECOWAS Commission firmly condemns this vile terrorist act against innocent children and calls for their immediate and unconditional release,” the agency said in a statement published on its official account on the social network Twitter.

Thus, he has called on the Nigerian authorities to “quickly locate those responsible for this atrocious act and bring them to justice”, while he has shown his “solidarity” with Abuja and the affected families “in these difficult times”.

Lastly, he reiterated his “commitment” to “continue to accompany the (Nigerian) Government in its fight against terrorism and banditry.”

Attacks in Nigeria, previously focused on the northeastern part of the country — where Boko Haram and its splinter, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) operate — have spread in recent years to other parts of the north and northwest, making alarm bells are going off due to the possible expansion of these terrorist and criminal networks, many of which live off the kidnapping of students.

These groups of “bandits”, as they are usually referred to by the Nigerian government, are responsible for dozens of kidnappings and attacks in recent months, especially against educational centers and transport, with the aim of obtaining ransom payments.