Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the closure of primary and secondary schools in 20 of Sokoto State’s 23 local government areas following escalating bandit attacks, warning that the development could leave an entire generation of children without access to education.
In a statement issued on Friday, the organization said the worsening insecurity has placed education under serious threat across northern Nigeria.
“Sokoto State Government had shut down primary and secondary schools in 20 out of 23 local government areas of the state as a result of escalating attacks by bandits across the state. This means, a generation of children are at the risk of missing out entirely on education,” Amnesty International Nigeria said.
The rights group stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for learning, saying, “Education is under attack in northern Nigeria. Schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life.”
Amnesty International further noted that many children have already lost access to education due to repeated attacks and displacement, particularly in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
“Already many children have had to abandon their education after being displaced by frequent violent attacks on their communities, especially in Sabon Birni LGA, and many teachers have been forced to flee to other states,” the statement added.
The organization called on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent action to address the crisis and protect schools from further attacks.
“The Nigerian authorities must act immediately to prevent attacks on schools, to protect children’s lives and their right to education,” Amnesty International Nigeria said.