The United Nations has called for the immediate and safe release of school children and teachers abducted in recent attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states, expressing deep concern over the growing threat insecurity poses to education in Nigeria.
The appeal was made by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, following a meeting in Abuja with officials of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), led by its Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah.
In a statement issued on Thursday after the meeting, Fall described the abductions and attacks on schools as a serious threat to children’s education, safety and future. He stressed that schools should remain places of learning and development, not centres of fear and violence.
The UN official’s remarks come amid growing national concern over the abduction of dozens of school children and teachers in Oyo State, as well as continued security challenges affecting schools in parts of northern Nigeria, including Borno State.
According to the statement, the meeting focused on the worsening security situation facing schools and learning communities across the country. Both the United Nations and the Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre expressed sympathy with affected families, school authorities and communities dealing with the consequences of the attacks.
Fall said the continued detention of school children and teachers by armed groups was unacceptable and called on those responsible to release all victims without delay.
“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.
The latest concerns stem largely from a coordinated attack carried out by gunmen in Oyo State on May 15. During the attack, armed men stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School. Reports indicated that more than 40 school children, including toddlers, were kidnapped alongside seven teachers.
The attack shocked residents of the state and renewed concerns about the spread of school-related kidnappings beyond regions that have historically experienced such incidents.
Even more disturbing were reports that two teachers lost their lives during the incident. One teacher was allegedly killed during the attack, while another was reportedly murdered later in the forest after being abducted by the gunmen. Reports said the second teacher was beheaded by his captors.
The killings sparked outrage among education stakeholders, human rights groups and community leaders, who called for urgent action to secure the release of the remaining victims and improve security around schools.
School attacks have become a major concern in Nigeria over the past decade. While many of the incidents were initially concentrated in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, recent developments suggest that criminal groups are increasingly targeting schools in other parts of the country.
The issue gained international attention in 2014 following the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. Since then, several schools across different states have been attacked by insurgents, bandits and criminal gangs seeking ransom payments or publicity.
The repeated attacks have disrupted education for thousands of children, forced school closures and created fear among parents, teachers and students.
In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government and its development partners launched the Safe Schools Initiative, aimed at strengthening security in schools and ensuring that children can continue their education in a safe environment.
The National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre was established as part of efforts to coordinate responses to threats against schools and support the implementation of protective measures across the country.
During the meeting in Abuja, Fall acknowledged the efforts already being made by the Federal Government and security agencies to tackle insecurity. However, he stressed that more action was needed to ensure the safe return of abducted pupils and teachers.
He urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and take stronger measures to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.
The UN official also called for accountability, insisting that those responsible for attacking schools and abducting innocent children must be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
According to him, ending the culture of impunity surrounding attacks on schools is critical to protecting children’s rights and restoring public confidence in the education system.
Fall further reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations system in Nigeria to supporting efforts aimed at creating safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments.
He noted that protecting children’s right to education is particularly important in vulnerable communities where insecurity, poverty and conflict already place significant obstacles before young people seeking an education.
The UN official also advocated the full implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, a framework designed to improve security planning, emergency preparedness and crisis response in schools.
In addition, he called for stronger emergency response systems and a more effective use of data to identify risks and protect children and educational facilities from threats.
“The UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments remains unwavering,” Fall said.
Education advocates have repeatedly warned that continued attacks on schools could worsen the country’s already troubling out-of-school children crisis. Nigeria currently has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, with insecurity identified as one of the major contributing factors.
As efforts continue to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, many Nigerians are hoping for swift action from security agencies. Parents, educators and community leaders have also renewed calls for stronger protection of schools to ensure that children can learn without fear.