Saturday, July 18, 2026

UN slams Buhari over poor investigation of Kankara schoolboys abduction

“We are concerned about the total lack of transparency and effective action almost three months later.”

• March 4, 2021
Kankara schoolboys. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bashir Ahmad]
Kankara schoolboys. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bashir Ahmad]

The United Nations has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime on its handling of the investigation regarding the abducted Kankara schoolboys.

The schoolboys were kidnapped in Katsina, Mr. Buhari’s home state.

UN experts said the purported investigation was poor.

The UN panel of experts disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We are concerned about the total lack of transparency and effective action almost three months later,” they said.

“There has still not been an impartial, independent investigation into the abductions nor specialised rehabilitation for the children after the incident,” the statement added.

The experts urged Mr. Buhari’s regime to prioritise the rehabilitation of schoolchildren traumatised due to the abduction.

The UN also called on the president to strengthen the security measures for those at risk since it is the government’s sole responsibility to protect the citizens.

It noted that there was a high rate of insecurity in the North, affecting mostly females subjected to gender-based violence.

“We are alarmed at reports that an unknown number of women and girls have been abducted in recent years and subjected to domestic servitude, forced labour, sexual slavery through forced marriages, forced and unwanted pregnancies.

“Serious concern is expressed about the physical and psychological integrity of these individuals, who are at increased risk of exploitation, trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence and other forms of violence,” they said.

The experts appealed to the Nigerian government to conduct independent investigations without any further delay.

The Nigeria government security agencies headed by the newly appointed service chiefs have inherited an increasing level of insecurity and have yet to proffer a solution to the crisis.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Gardens

Agriculture

Stakeholders seek plant-based protein policies to boost food security

She said plant-based proteins were critical to building sustainable food systems.

States

Edo security squad nabs 12 suspected cultists in Benin

He said the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigation.

PCRC

Heading 4

PCRC partners police on safe school programme

The police spokesman commended the PCRC leadership for hosting him.

Taraba State

Heading 5

Taraba: LG boss revokes indigeneship certificates

Mr Yusuf said the action became necessary following the introduction of a redesigned certificate.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja

NationWide

Military rescued over 40 victims, arrested more than 20 terrorists in one week: DHQ

Mr Onoja disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja in a statement on military operations nationwide.

Messi, Yamal, Merlin the duck, Curaçao players

Sport

Curaçao, Merlin the duck, red card withdrawal, Messi vs Yamal, other major highlights of 2026 World Cup

From June 11 to July 19, when the final will be played, the 2026 World Cup brought together 48 nations.