UN demands release of pupils, teachers abducted in Oyo, Borno

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. 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. Related News Invite Igboho for questioning over Oyo school abduction, Atiku’s aide tells DSS VIDEO: You can’t distance yourself from our Pain, Hilda Dokubo tells Tinubu FG promises safe rescue of abducted Oyo, Borno pupils 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, te