LAGOS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said at least 1 million Nigerian students are being left behind and afraid to return to school due to insecurity as many others start the new school year in the month of September in the most populous African country.

A UNICEF statement reaching Xinhua on Thursday said those Nigerian students are being cut off from their education and other vital benefits schools provide, as families and communities remain fearful of sending children back to their classrooms due to the spate of school attacks and student abductions in Nigeria over the last several months and the current climate of insecurity.

"So far this year, there have been 20 attacks on schools in Nigeria, with 1,436 children abducted and 16 children dead. More than 200 children are still missing," said the statement.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, was quoted by the statement as saying "it is unacceptable that communities should be worried to send their children to school over fears they will be abducted from what should be a safe space."

Hawkins called for an end to insecurity as it increases the risk of children never stepping into a classroom.

"For the most vulnerable children, including children affected by conflict, girl children, and children with disabilities, their risk of never stepping into a classroom in their lifetime is skyrocketing," he said.

"We need to end this insecurity and make our priorities clear, that Nigerian children can and must be allowed to benefit from an education in a safe space," Hawkins said.

There have been a series of gunmen attacks in Nigeria in recent months, leading to deaths and kidnappings. Enditem

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