The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned the deadly assault on a Government Girls’ School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, which claimed the life of the school’s vice-principal and saw at least 25 students reportedly abducted.
Sussan Akila, UNICEF Nigeria’s Communication Specialist, in a statement described the incident as “yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children, schools, and the personnel they rely upon to learn safely.”
“Students, education facilities, and their personnel should be protected under international law from any form of attack, and those responsible must be held to account in accordance with national and international standards,” Akila added.
UNICEF reminded Nigerian authorities of the country’s commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration, which the government endorsed in 2015. The declaration seeks to safeguard the civilian nature of schools and ensure safe access to education during conflict.
The agency urged the government to intensify efforts to fully implement the declaration and strengthen child protection systems nationwide.
Reaffirming its readiness to work with government partners, civil society, and communities, UNICEF insisted that school safety must remain a priority.
“No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education,” the statement concluded.