UNICEF condemned the recent attack on a school in Nigeria, emphasizing that no child should face danger while pursuing an education and that classrooms must remain safe spaces. Reports indicate that one of the abducted schoolgirls managed to escape and is now safe, while another student who was not taken also fled during the incident. Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq called for the immediate release of all abducted students, while UNICEF extended condolences to affected families, expressed solidarity with the community, and wished a full recovery to those injured.
The agency stressed that students, teachers, and educational facilities must be protected from all forms of violence, in line with international humanitarian and human rights law, and called for accountability for those responsible. Nigeria, having endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, has committed to safeguarding education facilities and ensuring safe access to learning even during conflict. UNICEF continues to collaborate with government partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe, inclusive learning environments across the country, aiming to prevent future attacks.
Attacks on schools and the abduction of students remain significant barriers to learning in Nigeria. A UNICEF report marking 10 years since the Chibok kidnappings found that only 37 percent of schools across ten states have early warning systems to detect threats such as violence and armed attacks. The Minimum Standards for Safe Schools Monitoring Report highlighted disparities in safety across school governance, violence prevention, natural hazards, conflict, everyday risks, and infrastructure. These findings underscore that ensuring all Nigerian children can learn without fear remains an urgent and unfinished task. UNICEF reiterated that education is a fundamental right and that protecting children, teachers, and school infrastructure must remain a national and global priority.
