In the wake of escalating violence in north-central Nigeria, a senior United Nations official has issued a stark call for immediate and reinforced measures to protect civilians and safeguard educational institutions. The plea from Mohamed Fall, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, highlights a deepening crisis where attacks on villages and schools are not only causing tragic loss of life but are systematically eroding fundamental human rights and the future of an entire generation.
Fall’s statement, released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, condemns a series of brutal incidents as “grave violations of human rights.” He specifically underscores the infringement on the right to life and the special protections owed to civilians, particularly women and children, under international humanitarian law. More profoundly, he connects the violence directly to the undermining of another critical right: the right to education. When schools are targeted or communities live in fear, learning ceases, creating long-term developmental scars that can outlast the immediate physical destruction.
The catalyst for this urgent appeal was a particularly deadly attack on January 3rd in the village market of Kasuwan Daji, located in Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area (LGA). Initial reports indicate over 30 people were killed and an unspecified number abducted, with assailants then setting fire to market stalls and nearby homes—a tactic that compounds trauma, destroys livelihoods, and displaces families.
This attack is not an isolated event. Fall’s statement references other concerning incidents in Agwara LGA (also in Niger State), as well as in neighboring Kwara and Ondo States, which resulted in scores of casualties, deaths, and kidnappings. The mention of Agwara LGA is especially poignant, as it is the location of Saint Mary’s Catholic School, where in November 2025, more than 300 students and staff were abducted before eventually being released. This pattern reveals a disturbing trend where educational facilities are becoming strategic targets, used to extract concessions, instill terror, or fund criminal operations through ransom.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wish the injured a swift recovery,” Fall stated. He followed with concrete demands: “I also call for the immediate release of all those abducted and urge authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable in line with national and international human rights standards.” This emphasis on accountability is crucial; without justice, cycles of violence and impunity are perpetuated.
The core of Fall’s message is a powerful, non-negotiable principle: “Students, schools, and education personnel must be protected from any form of attack. No child should ever be at risk while pursuing an education—a fundamental right for all children.” To contextualize this demand, he referenced the Safe Schools Declaration, an international political commitment that Nigeria endorsed. The Declaration provides a framework for protecting education during conflict, including measures like using schools for military purposes, developing emergency preparedness plans, and ensuring continuity of education. The UN reiterated the need for its full implementation in Nigeria in November 2025; these latest attacks demonstrate that rhetoric must now translate into effective, on-the-ground action.
The situation in Niger State and surrounding regions underscores a complex security challenge often linked to banditry, communal clashes, and the spillover of instability from other parts of the Sahel. Protecting civilians in this context requires a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond military response. It involves community-based early warning systems, fortifying schools without making them resemble military installations, training teachers and security forces on the protection of civilians, and ensuring humanitarian access to affected populations.
Fall concluded by affirming that “The United Nations remains committed to working with government authorities to strengthen protection for civilians and promote safer learning environments.” This partnership is vital. The ultimate test will be whether these recent tragedies can galvanize a coordinated, sustained, and effective response that places the safety of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens—its children and communities—at the very heart of security and policy planning. The protection of schools is not merely an educational issue; it is a barometer for the stability and future of the nation itself.
