UN DEMANDS RELEASE OF ABDUCTED PUPILS, TEACHERS IN OYO, BORNO

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BY JENN NOMAMIUKOR

The United Nations official in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has asked for the quick and safe return of school children and teachers who were taken hostage in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states. He said these incidents are a danger to education and the safety of children.

Fall made this request after meeting with a group from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre in Abuja, led by Dr Samuel Umanah.
This meeting happened because there is growing worry about the abductions of students and teachers, as well as the deaths of two educators in separate attacks.

In a statement released on Thursday from Abuja after the meeting, the UN official showed concern about the increasing security problems that are affecting schools and learning groups throughout the country.

The statement also said that during the meeting, both sides talked about the security issues schools are facing and showed support for the families, school leaders, and communities that have been impacted.

On Friday, May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Orire local government in Oyo State and kidnapped school children, 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 Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator said the United Nations is still committed to helping in Nigeria by supporting projects that make schools safe, welcoming, and free from violence.

He explained that it’s very important to protect children‘s right to go to school, especially in areas where there is fighting and where communities are at risk.
In these places, schools are often attacked.

He also pushed for fully following the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, having better emergency plans, and using data more effectively to protect schools and children who are in danger throughout the country.