United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said it is concerned over the number of children recruited and killed by non-state armed groups in the north-eastern part of the country.
The UN agency, in a statement on Friday, ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Chibok abduction, said over 3,500 children between the ages of 13 to 17 were drafted into various armed groups in the North East.
“More than 3,500 children, most of whom were aged 13 to 17, were recruited by non-state armed groups between 2013 and 2017 and have been used in the ongoing armed conflict in north-east Nigeria,” it said.
About 276 school girls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok local government area of Borno State on April 14, 2014. More than 100 of the girls are still unaccounted for.
UNICEF says that 432 children were killed and maimed, 180 were abducted, and 43 girls were sexually abused in the region in 2018.
“Children should feel safe at home, in schools and on their playgrounds at all times. We are calling on the parties to the conflict to fulfil their obligations under international law to end violations against children and to stop targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools.
“This is the only way we can begin to make lasting improvements in the lives of children in this devastated part of Nigeria,” said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.
UNICEF, however, promised to continue to offer its support to the Nigerian Government in its strong efforts to protect children across the country.
It also promised to continuously work with Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and other partners to support children who have been rescued or escaped from captivity.
