Understanding the Nigerian child soldier crisis

Even this task force, however, has recruited children in order to provide resistance, though it promises change and a shake-up to its practices.

According to CJTF, it disengaged 12,203 children from its ranks and worked in compliance with UN laws against child soldiers between 2013 and 2022. Before then, children were recruited, fought the Boko Haram, and lives were lost on both sides.

How big is the crisis? According to the United Nations Children’s Fund 2021 report, West and Central Africa have the highest number of child soldiers and sexual violence victims globally.

An increase in regional conflicts has led to more recruitment by both government and armed forces, and an estimated 40% of the world’s child soldiers are from Africa.

What has been the response to the threat?

Last Monday, during the commemoration of Red Hand Day, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Borno State, Nigeria, announced it had removed 1,840 boys and 363 girls from its ranks.

The CJTF commander, Abati Isa, assured that no child would be recruited or used as soldiers to fight militias. Additionally, he said child protection units had been established in the force to ensure full compliance with UNICEF and other organizations.

The Nigerian government has also had success fighting terrorist groups, despite the challenges. Both Boko Haram and ISWAP soldiers have surrendered over the past few months and, in early February, over 100 militants surrendered – according to the Nigerian army.

With the help of the UN, more security measures have been put in place – mostly in northern Nigeria and West Africa – to protect civilians. Some children have escaped, while others have been rescued by the army and reintegrated back into local communities and families.

Some regions have access to essentials like food supplies, but providing basic commodities to less accessible areas remains a challenge for most aid groups including the UN. These essentials reduce the risk of children joining these militia groups and improve quality of life.

The situation is ongoing and we will need to keep a close eye on events as they happen.