UN sounds alarm on threat for Nigerian kids

Says over one million children may stay away from school

One million Nigerian children will likely stay away from school because of the threat of violence after a series of mass kidnappings and attacks targeting students this year, the UN said on Wednesday.

More than 1,000 pupils have been snatched in mass abductions for ransom by criminal gangs in Nigeria’s northwest and central states since December with dozens still in captivity.

20 attacks on schools

The UN children’s agency UNICEF said there had been 20 attacks on schools in Nigeria this year and more than 1,400 pupils were taken and 16 had died. Most have been released after ransom negotiations, but only after weeks or months in captivity, often in appalling conditions in rural camps. “Families and communities remain fearful of sending children back to their classrooms due to the spate of school attacks and student abductions,” UNICEF said.

More than 37 million Nigerian children are due to start the new school year this month, the agency said.