UNICEF has condemned the deadly attack on a school in Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria, which left the Vice-Principal dead and resulted in the reported abduction of at least 25 students.

“No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education,” UNICEF said in a statement on Tuesday, stressing that classrooms must remain places of safety, not fear.

According to local reports, one of the abducted schoolgirls managed to escape and is now safe, while another student who was not taken also fled during the incident.

At the daily noon briefing in New York, Deputy UN Spokesperson Mr. Farhan Haq called for the swift release of all abducted students.

UNICEF extended condolences to affected families, expressed solidarity with the community, and wished the injured a full recovery. The agency emphasised that students, teachers, and education facilities must be protected in line with international humanitarian and human rights law.

It urged accountability for the perpetrators.

“Nigeria endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, committing to protect the civilian character of education facilities and ensure safe access to learning during conflict,” the statement said. The Declaration, launched in Oslo, aims to reduce attacks on education and safeguard learning environments globally.

UNICEF said it continued to work with government partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe, inclusive learning environments across Nigeria. It stressed that stronger safeguards could help prevent future tragedies.

“Attacks on schools and the abduction of students remain a major barrier to learning in Nigeria,” the agency noted.

A 2024 UNICEF report marking 10 years since the Chibok kidnapping found that only 37 per cent of schools across 10 states had early warning systems to detect threats such as violence and armed attacks.

The Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report also highlighted stark disparities in school safety across governance, violence prevention, natural hazards, conflict, everyday risks, and infrastructure.

UNICEF reiterated that education is a fundamental right and insisted that protecting children, teachers, and school infrastructure must remain a national and global priority.