Post by Voices Against Violence (VAV) Africa

33 Days Since Oyo: How Many More Days Must Families Wait? Today marks 33 days since students, teachers, and community members were abducted in Oyo State. For their families, every day is an agonizing reminder of unanswered questions, interrupted futures, and a government's unfulfilled obligation: the duty to protect its citizens. At Voices Against Violence Africa, we view this tragedy not as an isolated security incident, but as part of a broader pattern of attacks on education that continues to undermine Nigeria's development. More than a decade after Chibok, Nigeria has recorded over 20 major school kidnapping incidents, with more than 1,700 students and education personnel abducted since 2014. Recent reports indicate that attacks on education globally have surged, with Nigeria remaining among the countries most affected by violence targeting schools and learners. The continued targeting of schools reflects gaps in intelligence gathering, early warning systems, community protection mechanisms, and accountability. UNICEF reports that in 2024, only 37% of schools across ten Nigerian states had functioning early warning systems to identify threats and prevent attacks. Education cannot thrive where fear prevails. Every day these victims remain in captivity represents a failure of collective action and a violation of the fundamental right to education. As we stand in solidarity with affected families, we call on relevant authorities to provide transparent updates, intensify rescue efforts, strengthen school protection measures, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. To better understand the long-term implications of attacks on education in Nigeria, we invite you to read our publication: "A Nation Where Child Education is Under Siege." Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/ekYphFJK 33 days is too long. Every child deserves to learn in safety. Every family deserves answers. #BringBackThe46 #BringBackOurChildren #VoicesAgainstViolenceAfrica #EducationUnderAttack #EndKidnapping #HumanSecurity #SchoolSafety #Governance #Accountability #Nigeria