Author: Gist Correspondent

The United Nations and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have urged stronger action to secure the release of children abducted in Borno State, stressing that schools must remain safe places for learning and development.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, made the appeal in Maiduguri on Wednesday during the commemoration of the International Day of Humanitarian Action.

Fall said schools should never become places where children face insecurity, noting that they are meant to provide education, friendship and opportunities for personal development.

He disclosed that the UN, UNICEF and other humanitarian partners were working closely with the Nigerian government and security agencies to secure the freedom of children still being held captive.

According to him, while some abducted children have regained their freedom, efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.

The UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria also said the agency was collaborating with relevant authorities and partners to advocate for the release of the children and support those who had already been rescued.

She emphasised that the Nigerian government bears the primary responsibility for protecting children from abduction and ensuring every possible effort is made to reunite victims with their families.

She added that UNICEF continues to provide psychosocial support, nutrition and healthcare services to released children to aid their recovery and reintegration into society.

The agency is also supporting the government in strengthening safe school measures through technical assistance and capacity-building programmes.

Speaking on the broader humanitarian situation, Fall said insecurity had become more complex due to the increasing use of drones and sophisticated weapons by armed groups, making humanitarian operations more challenging.

He noted, however, that improved security in some areas had enabled aid agencies to resume operations and deliver critical assistance to affected communities.

Fall added that the security crisis has displaced about 2.7 million people across Nigeria and expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies and humanitarian partners would strengthen protection for vulnerable communities and improve the country's humanitarian response.