Parents of Zamfara schoolgirls worry over hunger, safety

Parents of the over 300 girls abducted from a Zamfara school few days ago have expressed worry over their daughters’ possible exposure to extreme hunger, sexual exploitation, extreme cold and ill treatment.

Many of the parents who spoke to Daily Trust Saturday also said they were worried that their daughters may be kept under a very harsh environment; hence they could be exposed to illnesses that could affect them, even after they must have regained freedom.

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Sadiya Kawaye, whose two daughters were kidnapped, said, “Because of the number of students abducted, we believe they would be exposed to serious psychological trauma.

“The gunmen can’t feed students of that magnitude well. Where will they get the food to give them? We are also concerned about the sexual harassment they may face there.

“These girls were picked while they were sleeping. We learnt that some of them, out of fear or tension, could not take their wrappers or blankets.’’

A father of one of the students, who simply identified himself as Ibrahim, said his daughter was on medication, and expressed worry that her condition could worsen.

“Shortly before she resumed school, we took her to a clinic, where she was diagnosed and put on medication. How will she recover when she may be hit by hunger and cold?

“We saw how the Kankara schoolboys looked haggard and weak when they were released, largely because of hunger. The suffering will be too much for them to bear,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Mr Abutu Yaro, yesterday led senior police officers in a search-and-rescue operation in the vicinity of the forest where the abducted schoolgirls are believed to be kept.

The spokesman of the command, SP Muhammad Shehu, told Daily Trust on Sunday that two police helicopters had arrived for the operation.

“The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar has reinforced the state’s command with aerial and ground assets. The ground assets include police special forces and personnel of Puff Adder,” Shehu added.

He appealed to the general public to remain calm, adding that security operatives have what it takes to rescue the girls.