UN Demands Immediate Release of Pupils, Teachers Abducted in Oyo, Borno

The United Nations has demanded 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.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, made the call following a meeting with a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre in Abuja.

“Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target,” Fall said in a statement issued Thursday.

Details of the Abductions

On Friday, May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting over 40 school children alongside their teachers. One teacher was killed during the attack and another was later beheaded in the forest.

In Mussa, Borno State, gunmen attacked three schools and abducted over 50 children — most between two and five years old — from Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and SUBEB Secondary School.

Fall called for those responsible for the attacks to be brought to justice and urged full implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.

“The UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments remains unwavering,” he added.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard, UN News