By George Ozalla
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently secure the release of all abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State and other parts of the country, while demanding justice for victims and stronger national protection systems for children.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, made the call while speaking on the 2026 International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, where he condemned recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, alongside other similar incidents recorded across the country.
He described the abductions as grave violations of children’s rights and a direct assault on their right to education, safety, dignity and life. According to him, the targeting of schools and learning environments represents a growing threat that undermines child protection frameworks and national obligations.
Ojukwu said abductions, sexual violence, trafficking, child labour, recruitment of children by armed groups and corporal punishment are clear violations of Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Child Rights Act, 2003.
He stressed that every child is entitled to life, dignity, protection and education, insisting that attacks on schools amount to a breach of these fundamental rights and must attract zero tolerance from authorities and society.
Ojukwu further called for the full and sustained implementation of the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, including properly funded security infrastructure in schools, deployment of trained security personnel, establishment of safe transit routes for pupils and teachers, and strengthened community-based protection systems around learning environments.
He also urged the National Assembly to expedite legislative action on the Safe Schools Bill and related policy proposals aimed at strengthening security architecture around educational institutions, noting that preventive measures remain critical to ending recurring attacks on schools.
Ojukwu further called for the full enforcement of the Child Rights Act, 2003 across all states of the federation, as well as the effective implementation of the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004, to reduce the vulnerability of children to exploitation, abuse and violence.
He added that the Commission will continue to monitor, investigate and pursue redress in all cases of violations against children, while also pushing for expanded psychosocial support services and the creation of safe learning environments that are free from fear, neglect and violence.
He reiterated that government and security agencies must prioritise the rescue of abducted children, ensure the prosecution of perpetrators, and strengthen preventive measures to safeguard schools nationwide, stressing that no child should be left behind in national protection efforts.
The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed annually on June 4.
