Boko Haram Kills Atleast 70 Teachers; Destroys 50 Schools - Amnesty International Roports

 

Amnesty International released a report this morning that states that between Januray and now, Boko Haram have killed 70 teachers and destroyed 50 schools.

 Part of the report reads:

“This year alone at least 70 teachers and scores of pupils have been slaughtered and many others wounded. Some 50 schools have been burned or seriously damaged and more than 60 others have been forced to close.”

It said between 2010 and 2011 attacks were mostly carried out when schools were empty. However, since the beginning of 2013 they appear to have become more targeted and brutal.

According to the report, the attacks now frequently happen when schools are occupied, adding that teachers and pupils are now being directly targeted and killed.

“Hundreds have been killed in these horrific attacks. Thousands of children have been forced out of schools across communities in northern Nigeria and many teachers have been forced to flee for their safety.

“Attacks against schoolchildren, teachers and school buildings demonstrate an absolute disregard for the right to life and the right to education,” Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Africa, Lucy Freeman, said in the report.

Hundreds have been killed in these horrific attacks, Amnesty International said, adding that thousands of children have been forced out of schools across communities in northern Nigeria and that many teachers have been forced to flee for their safety.

In one of the cases detailed in the report, the principal of a government secondary school in Maiduguri said of an attack in February 2013: “the gunmen opened fire on everyone around. Two staff teachers were shot. One died on the spot and the other was seriously wounded. We were all devastated.”

Again, that same school was attacked the following month and three people were shot and killed in the exams office.

“We were forced to close the school immediately and asked the children to go home. We remained closed for that entire period,” the principal told investigators from Amnesty International.

The organization said in spite of the tragic loss of life involved in these attacks, it is not aware of anyone being arrested and prosecuted by the authorities.