Africa

Africa

Boko Haram violence forces one million kids out of school: UNICEF

22 December 2015 09:45 (UTC +04:00)

In a report released on Tuesday, UNICEF said more than 2,000 schools remained closed across the countries that are bearing the brunt of Boko Haram terror activities, including Nigeria, Cameron, Chad and Niger, PRESS TV reported.

The UN body also said hundreds of other education facilities have been attacked, looted or set on fire by the militants.

“The longer they stay out of school, the greater the risks of being abused, abducted, and recruited by armed groups,” said UNICEF’s regional director of West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” started a rebellion against the Nigerian government in 2009, before its terror operations spread over to neighboring countries.