New York, 08 July 2013 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, strongly condemns the violent attack on a school and the targeted killing of students and their teachers over the weekend in Yobe State, in north-eastern Nigeria.

“I am deeply worried by the recent spike in incidents affecting schools and children in the region,” declared Ms Zerrougui. “During the last three weeks, four attacks on schools have taken place, leaving dozens of students and a number of teachers dead.”

Ms. Zerrougui offers her condolences and expresses her deepest sympathy and solidarity to the families of the victims.

Ms. Zerrougui calls on those responsible to refrain from any attacks directed at or in the vicinity of schools, and warned that the killing and maiming of children, as well as attacks on schools, teachers and school children are serious violations of international law. The Special Representative requests that the Nigerian Government investigate these heinous crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable.