Conflict in NE Nigeria still affects children 9 years after Chibok girls ‘nightmare’: UNICEF
Meanwhile, thousands of girls and boys have been subjected to serious crimes amid the ongoing conflict in the region, UNICEF added, stressing the need to protect children in Nigeria.
As recently as 7 April, some 80 children were abducted by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the UN said, citing local media.
Children are still suffering
The so-called “Chibok Girls” were kidnapped on the night of 14 April 2014, causing condemnation and international concern.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, said the “nightmare” continues today as many children are abducted, forced to work, killed and injured.
“We he could not close his eyes to the suffering of Nigerians. We must do everything in our power to ensure that they grow up safely, with access to education and the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” he said.
Learning under fire
Since 2014, it has been available over 2,400 confirmed cases of serious crimes affecting 6,800 children in northeastern Nigeria, UNICEF reported.
The most common concern is recruitment by armed groups, followed by kidnapping, and killing and execution.
The conflict has had a dramatic impact on education, and UNICEF warns that the repercussions are likely to affect generations.
Between 2009 and 2022, 2,295 teachers were reportedly killed in attacks, and more than 19,000 displaced, according to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TCN).
In addition, more than 1,500 schools have been closed, and 910 have been destroyed, due to insecurity.
Appeal to the parties
UNICEF has welcomed the Government’s signing of the agency’s support strategy on the surrender of children caught in the conflict, as well as its commitment to invest more than $314 million in the financial program on school security .
The extradition policy, signed last September, aims to prevent or reduce the detention of children encountered by the military and security forces.
Under the agreement, children said to be associated with armed groups will be transferred to the Ministry of Women’s Employment and Social Development within a period of seven days.
UNICEF calls on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, and to protect the rights and well-being of children.
