ABUJA, Nigeria — The United Nations has voiced alarm over recurring terrorist attacks on schools in Nigeria, warning that the assaults are devastating communities and undermining education.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organization was “very concerned” about the continued targeting of children and places of learning by extremist groups. His comments followed reports of coordinated attacks in Oyo State over the weekend, where dozens of schoolchildren and teachers were abducted and two teachers killed.
Dujarric noted that Secretary-General António Guterres is closely monitoring the situation, particularly after recent joint U.S.-Nigerian military strikes on ISIS targets in the country. He added that the UN country team in Nigeria is working with government authorities to strengthen school protection and improve safety measures for students.
The attacks highlight a broader pattern of insecurity in Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted schools in the north and southwest. Since the 2014 Chibok abductions, schools have remained vulnerable despite government pledges to improve security.
On social media, Nigerians expressed outrage and grief. Posts on X condemned the killings and demanded stronger government action. Parents shared fears about sending children to school, while activists called for urgent reforms to safeguard education. On Facebook community groups debated whether schools should temporarily close in high-risk areas. TikTok videos showed students pleading for protection, amplifying the emotional toll.
Stakeholders also weighed in. Education advocates urged authorities to prioritize school safety as a national emergency. Human rights groups condemned the attacks as violations of international law, stressing that children must never be targets of violence. Nigerian lawmakers described the assaults as “an attack on the nation’s future,” calling for increased funding for security in rural schools.
The UN has pledged continued support, but the crisis underscores the challenges of protecting education in conflict zones. As Dujarric noted, “These attacks have devastating impact on the communities.”
