The United Nations has demanded the immediate and safe release of school children and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as threats to education and child protection.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, made the call after a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre in Abuja, led by Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, the UN official expressed concern about the worsening security situation affecting schools and learning communities across the country.
The statement further disclosed that at the meeting, both sides discussed the security challenges facing schools and expressed solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities.
On Friday, May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Orire local government in Oyo State and kidnapped schoolchildren, including toddlers and seven teachers.
Over 40 school children, alongside their teachers, were abducted in a coordinated attack at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
During the attack, the gunmen reportedly killed one teacher and later killed another teacher in the forest by beheading him.
In Mussa, Borno State, North-Eastern part of Nigeria, gunmen attacked three schools on a Friday morning and abducted over 50 children, most of them between two and five years old.
The kidnappings took place at the town’s Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Secondary School.
In the statement, the UN resident coordinator lamented the abduction, stressing that the school environment is meant for learning purposes and must be kept safe at all costs.
“The UN Resident Coordinator is deeply saddened that these school children and their teachers are still being held by armed groups. Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target,” he said.
Fall noted that the recent attacks underscore the urgent need for stronger measures to protect children, teachers and educational facilities from violence and insecurity.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to address the situation, he urged authorities to intensify actions aimed at securing the swift and safe return of all abducted victims.
He also called for those responsible for the attacks and abductions to be brought to justice.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator reaffirmed the United Nations system’s commitment in Nigeria to supporting initiatives that promote safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments.
According to him, protecting children’s right to education remains critical, particularly in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities where schools have increasingly become targets of attacks.
Fall further advocated the full implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, stronger emergency response mechanisms and a more efficient data-driven approach to safeguarding schools and at-risk children across the country.
“The UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments remains unwavering,” he said.
