The Army yesterday formally handed over 183 children linked with Boko Hram insurgency to the United Nations Children and Education Fund (UNICEF) for rehabilitation.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the handover was in line with the international laws for the protection of children in conflict.
Buratai, who was represented by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said the children included 175 boys and eight girls. Some of them were used as fighters and suicide bombers.
The Army chief said the children would undergo comprehensive psychological support and rehabilitation to facilitate their reintegration into the society.
He also reiterated the Armyโs commitment to end insurgency and protect human rights.
The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, said the UN welcomed the release of the 183 child-suspects.
Kallon, represented by Ibrahim Cecee, noted that the release followed clearance of the children, aged between 7 and 18, of ties with the insurgents.
He said: โThe eight girls and 175 boys are victims of the ongoing conflict and their release is an important step on their road to recovery.
โWe will work with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and partners, to provide the children with the assistance they need.
โI hail the military for its action, which shows a commitment to better protect children affected by the conflict.โ
Kallon added that the children would receive medical attention and psychosocial support before they would be reunited with their families and reintegration into society.
According to him, the organisation had supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children released from armed groups since 2017.
Governor Kashim Shettima lauded the military for the gesture and successes recorded in the counter-insurgency campaign.
Shettima, who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs Fanta Baba-Shehu, admonished the children to pay attention to what they would learn to enable them become responsible citizens.
