The United Nations has expressed serious concern over the recurring attacks on schools by terrorist and extremist groups in Nigeria, following recent assaults on educational institutions in parts of the country.

Speaking on the development, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric condemned the continued targeting of children and schools, describing the attacks as devastating to affected communities.

His remarks followed reports of coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State over the weekend, during which dozens of students and teachers were reportedly abducted by armed groups. Two teachers were also said to have been killed in the attacks.

“We’re, of course, very concerned. We have seen the continued attacks on children and on places of education in Nigeria by extremist groups,” Dujarric said.

“As you can imagine, these have a devastating impact on the communities,” he added.

Dujarric further disclosed that António Guterres is also worried about the growing activities of terrorist groups in parts of Nigeria, particularly following recent joint U.S.-Nigerian military operations targeting ISIS-linked militants.

The UN spokesperson noted that the United Nations country team in Nigeria has continued to collaborate with the government and stakeholders in affected regions to improve the safety and protection of schools.

“The UN country team in Nigeria, in all its components, has been working with the government in the impacted region to find ways we can support and strengthen efforts to make schools safer for students, and we will continue to work in that vein,” Dujarric stated.

The renewed attacks have once again raised concerns over insecurity in Nigeria’s education sector and the safety of students and teachers across vulnerable communities.