According to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 1,440 schoolchildren have been kidnapped in Nigeria since the beginning of the year, Report informs, referring to foreign media.
The authors of the report note an increase in the number of attacks on schools in the West African country. Since January, 25 different schools have been attacked in Nigeria, the organization noted.
The report says that the attacks, which have continued for years in West African countries, target mainly children.
Large numbers of schoolchildren have been abducted in recent months, particularly in the Nigerian states of Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina, and Zamfara.
The attacks forced many schools and universities to suspend classes.
UNICEF called on the government of Nigeria to take urgent action to prevent such incidents.