Mohammed Malick Fall, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of pupils and teachers abducted during recent attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.
Fall made the appeal after a meeting in Abuja with officials of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, led by its Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah, amid growing concern over the abductions and killings linked to attacks on learning institutions.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the UN official described the incidents as a grave threat to children’s right to education and safety, stressing that schools must remain secure environments for learning.
The appeal followed the abduction of more than 40 pupils and seven teachers during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. Two teachers were reportedly killed, including one who was beheaded by the attackers.
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