The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has called for the immediate and safe release of school children and teachers abducted in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states, describing the incidents as threats to education and child protection.
Fall made the call following a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre in Abuja, led by Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah, amid growing concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers and the killing of two educators in separate incidents.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, after the meeting, the UN official expressed concern over the worsening security situation affecting schools and learning communities across the country.
The statement further disclosed that at the meeting, both sides discussed the security challenges facing schools and expressed solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities.
On Friday, May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Orire local government in Oyo State and kidnapped school children, including toddlers and seven teachers.
