The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) says the Boko Haram terrorist group has introduced the use of child soldiers to resuscitate its declining influence in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Chief of
Military Public Information for MNJTF, Timothy Antigha, said this in a
statement issued from N’Djamena – Chad on Thursday.
Mr Antigha, a
Nigerian army colonel, said the recruitment of child soldiers by the sect was
part of their new strategies following the recent mass surrender by their
fighters to the military.
He said information
on this disturbing development was brought in by intelligence sources and
corroborated by concerned individuals and groups a couple of days ago.
He added that the
Boko-Haram terrorists further confirmed the development when they posted
pictures of children dressed in military fatigue and holding assault rifles in
a video released during the Sallah celebrations.
According to him,
the recruitment of child soldiers is the latest in a retinue of brutal and
inhuman tactics deployed by Boko Haram since it began the futile attempt to
cause mayhem and overthrow constitutional and social order.
“Earlier, Boko Haram
have engaged in the mass abduction of school girls, sexual enslavement of women
and mass murder of innocent civilians.
“This recent
employment of child soldiers is as a result of frustration caused by several
operational losses, leadership crises, as well as disillusionment among
fighters and their subsequent surrender in hundreds to the MNJTF.
“The focus on
children is because they are easier to manipulate and indoctrinate than the
adults within the region who can now see through the veil of deceit.
“Arising from this
latest atrocity by Boko Haram, the MNJTF urges parents, local authorities,
religious and traditional institutions to be vigilant and promptly alert
security agencies of any overt or covert attempts to recruit their children and
wards,” he said.
Mr Antigha advised
youth to be mindful of promises of power and influence, economic prosperity and
spiritual growth by the sect owing to the disillusionment and surrender that
had depleted their ranks.
“The stories of
hardship and evil within the terrorist organisations as revealed by all
surrendered Boko Haram fighters should be sufficient notice that Boko Haram and
ISWAP have nothing good to offer anyone.
“It would be
recalled that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflict forbids the recruitment and use of
children in Armed Conflicts.
“The Protocol states
among others that; “Armed groups distinct from armed forces of a country should
not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities anyone under 18.
“It is against this
background that the MNJTF is drawing the attention of the United Nations, its
relevant agencies and other stakeholders to the latest acts of inhumanity and
desperation by Boko Haram, and urges severe condemnation and other necessary
action.
“On our part, the
MNJTF will continue with activities that are focused on the protection of
children and other vulnerable groups within its area of operation,” he added.
0 Comments