Statement attributed to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria on safe schools and the recent abduction of school children and teachers
04 June 2026
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, welcomes the UN’s productive engagement with the delegation of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre at a time of deep concern following the worrying recent abductions of school children and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, resulting in the horrific killing of two educators.
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.
These incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning spaces.
He acknowledges the on-going efforts of the government and security agencies and calls on the authorities to do more to ensure the safe and swift return of all abducted school children and teachers, and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Mr Malick Fall reaffirms the UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments, while ensuring the protection and upholding of children’s right to education in safety and dignity.
He calls for full and diligent implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, strengthened emergency response mechanisms, and an efficient data-driven approach to protecting schools and vulnerable children.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator met the National Safe Schools delegation, led by Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah, in Abuja on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, to discuss the situation and express solidarity with the affected families, school authorities and communities at this distressing time.
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