The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has called for the immediate and safe release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, warning that the incidents pose a direct threat to education and child protection.
Fall made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja following a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), led by Commandant Dr Samuel Umanah.
The discussions came amid renewed fear over the targeting of schools, including the abduction of pupils and teachers and the killing of two educators in separate attacks.
Fall said he was deeply saddened that children and their teachers remained in captivity and stressed that schools must remain places of learning, not fear.
"Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target," he said in a statement issued after the meeting.
The statement pointed out two separate incidents that have heightened anxiety among parents and education authorities.
In Oyo State on Friday 15 May, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) and abducted more than 40 children, including toddlers, along with seven teachers.
The assailants reportedly killed one teacher during the raid and later killed another in the forest.
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In Mussa, Borno State, gunmen struck three schools on a Friday morning and took over 50 children, most of them aged between two and five years.
Both sides at the Abuja meeting discussed the growing security challenges facing schools and expressed solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies, Fall urged authorities to intensify action to secure the swift and safe return of all abducted victims.
In addition, the UN Resident Coordinator called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments in Nigeria.
The official said protecting the right to education was especially critical in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities where schools have increasingly become targets.
Fall advocated full implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS), stronger emergency response systems and a more data-driven approach to safeguarding schools and children at risk.
"The UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments remains unwavering," he added.
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