The Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) has demanded the immediate release of 80 children kidnapped in Zamfara state. On April 7, at least 80 children were reportedly kidnapped by bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
According to BBC Hausa, the kidnapped children are between the ages of 12 and 17.
Some parents of the kidnapped children told British media that the victims were in the bush collecting firewood around 8am when the attackers gathered them up and took them to the forest.
In a statement on Tuesday, ECOWAS condemned the act of terrorism and called on all relevant authorities to find and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The statement read –
“The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States is following with grave concern reports about the kidnapping of 80 children by unidentified armed elements on 7 April 2023 in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“The ECOWAS Commission roundly condemns this dastardly terrorist act on innocent children and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. It calls on the Nigerian authorities to promptly hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous act and bring them to justice.”
cc: Punch Ng
