By Kamsi Anayo
The United Nations (UN) has expressed deep concern over the recent abductions of school children and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, calling for the immediate and safe release of all victims.
The body also urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to secure schools across the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, condemned the attacks, which also resulted in the killing of two educators, describing the incidents as a grave assault on children’s right to education and safety.
Fall said the continued captivity of the schoolchildren and their teachers was deeply troubling.
According to him, educational institutions must remain safe spaces for learning rather than becoming targets of violence and fear.
“The recent incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning environments,” he said.
The UN official acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government and security agencies to address the situation but insisted that more must be done to secure the swift return of all abductees and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He emphasized that children should never become victims of armed conflict or criminal violence, noting that attacks on schools threaten not only lives but also the future of communities and the nation’s development.
Fall reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to supporting initiatives aimed at creating safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments across Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of protecting children’s rights and guaranteeing access to education in conditions of safety and dignity.
The UN also called for the full implementation of the country’s Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, stronger emergency response systems and improved use of data-driven strategies to identify and mitigate threats against schools and vulnerable children.
The remarks followed a meeting between the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by Commandant Samuel Umanah in Abuja on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on the worsening security situation affecting schools and provided an opportunity for the United Nations to express solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities grappling with the trauma of the abductions.
