Bukola Afeni
Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that the worsening insecurity across the country is posing severe risks to education, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where fear of abductions continues to keep children out of school.
The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, raised the alarm on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. He noted that the psychological trauma associated with kidnappings is already discouraging thousands of children from attending school.
“The trauma that comes with being abducted, or with the fear of being abducted, is going to prevent thousands of children from getting education completely,” Sanusi said.
He added that in many rural communities, parents make significant sacrifices to send their children to school because the children play essential roles at home. However, rising insecurity is now forcing many families to reconsider.
“Education suffers even more setbacks, especially in Northern Nigeria. People will be scared of going to school, and parents will be more skeptical about allowing their children to attend,” he said.
Sanusi expressed concern that the situation will worsen Nigeria’s already alarming number of out-of-school children. “When added to the more than 12 million children already out of school, the future looks grim and dangerous,” he cautioned.
