The United Nations Children’s Fund says violence by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has forced more than one million children out of school in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
UNICEF said on Tuesday that over 2,000 schools remain closed in the region due to the conflict. Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in northeastern Nigeria in April last year.
A large number of children are said to have seen their parents killed by the extremists.
UNICEF expressed concern that these vulnerable children would not only be deprived of chances to attend school, but could also be used as suicide bombers by Boko Haram.
The agency is appealing for support to help children gain access to education