AKIPRESS.COM - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have condemned the abduction of some 100 school girls from their hostel in north-eastern Nigeria yesterday and called for their immediate release.

Describing the abduction that occurred in Chibok in Borno state as “shocking,” Mr. Ban called for the safe return of the girls, all between the ages of 12 and 17, to their families.

He added that the targeting of schools and school children is a grave violation of international humanitarian law, the UN News Centre reported. 

“Schools are, and must remain, safe places where children can learn and grow in peace,” the Secretary-General said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.