17/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – Alarmed by the upsurge in violence in north-western Nigeria, the EU called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all abducted children” on the evening of Wednesday 16 December. In a joint statement, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Commissioners Janez Lenarčič (Crisis Management) and Jutta Urpilainen (International Partnerships) stress that “the abduction of hundreds of children in Katsina State by Boko Haram is a despicable act of violence and cowardice”. Expressing their solidarity with the children’s families and the Nigerian people, they stressed that “those responsible for this horrific act should be brought to justice”. They call for the respect of human rights and International Humanitarian Law and affirm that “the fight against terrorism and radicalisation will remain high on the agenda of the EU-Nigeria partnership”. (AN)