The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the immediate release of the 80 kidnapped children in Zamfara State.
At least 80 children were reportedly abducted by bandits in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State On April 7.
The kidnapped children are aged between 12 and 17, according to BBC Hausa.
Some parents of the abducted children who spoke to the British media outlet said the victims were in the bush fetching firewood at about 8am when the assailants rounded them up and marched them into the forest.
In a statement on Tuesday, ECOWAS condemned the terror act, urging all relevant authorities to find the perpetrators and bring them 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.”
