● Mohamed Fall: Schools must be safe spaces; calls for full implementation of Safe Schools Standards*l
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, calling for their immediate and safe release while urging Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to secure schools nationwide.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, condemned the attacks Thursday in Abuja, which also resulted in the killing of two educators. He described the incidents as a grave assault on children’s right to education and safety.
*“Educational institutions must not become targets”*
Fall said the continued captivity of the schoolchildren and their teachers was deeply troubling, stressing that schools must remain safe spaces for learning rather than 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 but insisted more must be done to secure the swift return of all abductees and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
*Children must not be victims of violence*
Fall 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.
He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at creating safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments across Nigeria, stressing the importance of protecting children’s rights and guaranteeing access to education in conditions of safety and dignity.
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*Call for Safe Schools Standards, data-driven security*
The UN also called for full implementation of Nigeria’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.
Fall made the remarks following a meeting Wednesday with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by Commandant Samuel Umanah. The meeting focused on the worsening security situation affecting schools and allowed the UN to express solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities grappling with trauma.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over school safety in Nigeria, where repeated attacks on educational institutions have disrupted learning, displaced thousands of students and heightened fears among parents and teachers.
