Children in North East Nigeria continue to be brutalized as a result of Boko Haram’s insurgency in the region and the ensuing conflict, a UN report released on Thursday has said.
The “Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Nigeria” documented the impact on children of the severe deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the country between January 2013 and December 2016.
Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, in a press release from her Office, described the report as a “first-of-its-kind”.
Gamba said: “With tactics including widespread recruitment and use, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and the increasing use of children in so-called ‘suicide’ attacks, Boko Haram has inflicted unspeakable horror upon the children of Nigeria’s north-east and neighbouring countries.”
The Secretary-General’s report detailed grave violations committed by Boko Haram during the period.
It said: “During the reporting period, attacks by Boko Haram on communities and confrontations between the group and security forces resulted in at least 3,900 children killed and 7,300 more maimed.
“Suicide attacks became the second leading cause of child casualties, accounting for over 1000 deaths and 2,100 injuries during the reporting period.
“The UN verified the use of 90 children for suicide bombings in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, the majority of whom were girls.
“The UN verified the recruitment and use of 1,650 children.
“Testimonies from children separated from Boko Haram indicate that many were abducted, but that others joined the group due to financial incentives, peer pressure, familial ties and for ideological reasons.
“In some instances, parents gave up their children to obtain security guarantees or for economic gain.
“The children were used in direct hostilities, for planting improvised explosive devices, to burn schools or houses and in a variety of support roles.
“Schools have been targets of choice for Boko Haram and the UN estimates that 1,500 were destroyed since 2014, with at least 1,280 casualties among teachers and students.”
Response to Boko Haram terrorism also raised concerns, the Secretary-General’s report indicated.
It said: “The response to Boko Haram’s insurgency also generated protection concerns, including allegations of extra judicial killings.
“The UN documented the recruitment and use of 228 children, including some as young as nine by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), created in Borno State to assist the Nigerian Security Forces.
“Children were used mainly for intelligence-related purposes, in search operations, night patrols, for crowd control and to guard posts.”
Gamba urged all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law and to ensure civilians are protected during armed clashes.
NAN.
Trending
- Google sacks 28 workers protesting contract with Israel
- Manager pleads guilty to N30m theft charge
- Lagos-Calabar coastal expressway: FG inaugurates compensation committee
- EFCC declares ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello wanted
- Students loan: 1.2 million to be in first batch of beneficiaries
- Court stops enforcement of Ganduje’s suspension from APC
- PDP BoT queries Damagum, Anyanwu’s continued stay in office
- Alleged N4b fraud: Court orders Obiano to face trial