The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to secure the immediate release of the 25 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State and to fully enforce the Safe Schools Declaration, which Nigeria endorsed in 2015.
The appeal followed Monday’s attack on a Government Girls’ School in the Maga community, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where gunmen killed the school’s vice-principal and kidnapped the students. The assault has once again heightened fears over persistent insecurity and repeated attacks on schools in the country’s Northwest region.
In a statement issued by UNICEF Nigeria’s Communication Specialist, Sussan Akila, the organisation condemned the incident in strong terms.
“UNICEF strongly condemns the reported attack on a Government Girls’ School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, which resulted in the death of the school’s Vice-Principal and the abduction of 25 students,” Akila said. “This tragic incident is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children, schools, and the personnel they rely upon to learn safely.”
She expressed sympathy to the affected community, offering condolences to the families who lost loved ones and wishing the injured a quick recovery.
UNICEF further urged the swift and safe release of the abducted students.
Akila stressed that students, schools, and teaching personnel are protected under international law and must be shielded from all forms of attack. She added that those responsible for such acts must be held accountable in line with national and international standards.
Referencing Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, she noted that the commitment outlines concrete actions to safeguard schools and ensure unhindered access to education during crises.
She called for full implementation of the declaration, emphasizing that UNICEF is working with government authorities and local communities to strengthen safety systems and promote secure learning environments.
“These systems and environments must be reinforced to prevent future tragedies. No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education,” the statement added.
The Safe Schools Declaration is an inter-governmental political commitment adopted by 121 countries as of Tuesday, according to the initiative’s official website. Nigeria signed on in May 2015.
In April 2021, the House of Representatives launched an investigation into the alleged abandonment of the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative, including the N500 million allocated for the rehabilitation of Government Secondary School, Chibok where Boko Haram abducted over 200 girls in 2014.
Later, in October 2021, the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, remarked that the initiative appeared “designed to fail,” citing poor implementation and lack of accountability.
