AHMED MARI, Maiduguri
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has solicited a concerted effort among stakeholders for the protection of children affected by the over 16 years of Boko Haram insurgency. In the Northeast.
UNODC expressed concern over the number of children recruited by Boko Haram, highlighting the urgent need for protection and intervention.
The UNODC, Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, who made ca all during the call for the restoration of the dignity and protection of children at the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital said, “The protection of children is not optional. The prevention demands more than rhetoric, it requires resources, commitment and accountability.”
The UNODC said children in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have been neglected by society, adding that many of the children are abducted, trafficked and forcibly recruited by armed and criminal groups since 2009.
Toure further explained that available statistics had shown that no fewer than 1,385 children were recruited between 2017 and 2019 into various criminal groups.
“These figures are just statistics. Each one represents a child whose life, dignity, and future are at risk,” Toure added.
Toure said the 5th World Congress, with the theme “Advancing Child-Centred Justice: Preventing and Responding to Violence Affecting Children in Justice Systems,” ls for swift action to protect innocent children in conflict zones.
“The protection of children is not optional. The prevention demands more than rhetoric, it requires resources, commitment and accountability.”, he said.
“About 60 per cent of those affected are youths. Nigeria’s development depends on the protection and empowerment of its young population.
Together we can build a future where no child is left behind and where every child has the chance to contribute to Nigeria’s full development potential,” he added.
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Earlier, Ibrahim Zannah Sunoma said many children were either force out of school or denied access to education, as a result of the 16 years of insurgency.
” Many children were sent out of schools, while many others were orphans, our teachers and parents were killed . There need for government and other stakeholders to ensure schools are protected for us to have quality education”, Sunoma added.
The occasion also witnessed the signing of a declaration for call to Action by the UNODC, the Bormo state government, youth groups and other critical stakeholders.
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