Almost 900 children, including girls, have been freed from the ranks of pro-government militia in Nigeria, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 10th May, 2019) Almost 900 children, including girls, have been freed from the ranks of pro-government militia in Nigeria, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday."A total of 894 children, including 106 girls, were released from the ranks of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Maiduguri, north-east Nigeria today, as part of its commitment to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children," the statement said.
Formed back in 2013, CJTF aims to fight the insurgency in the north-east of the African nation which suffers from attacks carried out by Boko Haram terrorist group. In September 2017, the CJTF signed an action plan aimed to end recruitment of children. Since then, at least 1,727 children and young people have been released from the militia's ranks.
"Children of north-east Nigeria have borne the brunt of this conflict. They have been used by armed groups in combatant and non-combatant roles and witnessed death, killing and violence. This participation in the conflict has had serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being," Mohamed Fall, representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, stated.
Those released on Friday are due to join the reintegration programs which will help them to return to civilian life, the UNICEF said.
According to the agency, over 3,500 minors were recruited by armed groups in 2013-2017.
