United Nations (UN) Calls For Swift Release Of Kidnapped School Staff, Students In Nigeria
By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The United Nations (UN) has called for an immediate and quick action to secure the release of students and teachers abducted by armed groups in Nigeria, stressing that schools must be protected as safe environments for learning and development.
The appeal was made in Abuja by Mr. Malick Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, during a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by its Commandant, Dr. Samuel Umanah.
The discussions centered on recent incidents of school abductions, as well as ongoing efforts to support affected families, schools, and communities in Oyo and Borno states.
Fall expressed concern over the ongoing captivity of the victims and strongly condemned the violence, noting that two teachers had already been killed during the incidents.
He further said the attacks highlight the growing risks facing children, teachers, and educational settings across the country.
According to him, protecting children’s right to access education in a secure and dignified setting must remain a national priority.
He urged authorities to fully implement the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, strengthen emergency response systems, and adopt data-driven strategies to improve school security.
“We are 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. These incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning spaces”, Fall said.
While acknowledging the efforts of government authorities and security agencies, the UN official urged stronger and more coordinated action to secure the safe and swift release of all abducted students and teachers.
He also urged authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the attacks are brought to justice and to reinforce measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The United Nations (UN) has called for an immediate and quick action to secure the release of students and teachers abducted by armed groups in Nigeria, stressing that schools must be protected as safe environments for learning and development.
The appeal was made in Abuja by Mr. Malick Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, during a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by its Commandant, Dr. Samuel Umanah.
The discussions centered on recent incidents of school abductions, as well as ongoing efforts to support affected families, schools, and communities in Oyo and Borno states.
Fall expressed concern over the ongoing captivity of the victims and strongly condemned the violence, noting that two teachers had already been killed during the incidents.
He further said the attacks highlight the growing risks facing children, teachers, and educational settings across the country.
According to him, protecting children’s right to access education in a secure and dignified setting must remain a national priority.
He urged authorities to fully implement the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, strengthen emergency response systems, and adopt data-driven strategies to improve school security.
“We are 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. These incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning spaces”, Fall said.
While acknowledging the efforts of government authorities and security agencies, the UN official urged stronger and more coordinated action to secure the safe and swift release of all abducted students and teachers.
He also urged authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the attacks are brought to justice and to reinforce measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
