- UNICEF reports surge in attacks on Nigerian schoolchildren since Chibok kidnapping, highlighting lack of early warning systems in schools
- Over past decade, report documents 1,680 abductions, 180 fatalities, and 60 kidnappings of school staff, emphasizing urgent need for action
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed a disturbing surge in attacks and abductions targeting Nigerian schoolchildren since the infamous Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping in Borno State a decade ago.
In a report released on Monday titled ‘Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report’, UNICEF revealed that only 37% of schools in 10 states possess early warning systems to detect threats of such attacks.
Presenting the report, UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Education, Saadhna Panday-Soobrayan, highlighted the alarming impact of conflict-related violence on children. Over the past decade, the report documented over 1,680 abductions, 180 fatalities in school attacks, and 60 school staff kidnappings, resulting in 14 deaths. Moreover, more than 70 schools have been targeted in attacks.
The report underscored that 90 abducted schoolgirls remain in captivity, with a recent abduction occurring in Kaduna State in March.
UNICEF urged authorities to ramp up efforts to safeguard vulnerable children and enhance school safety protocols. Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis, emphasizing education as a fundamental right for children’s future and poverty alleviation.
The report analyzed six critical areas: school systems, violence against children, natural hazards, conflicts, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure.