By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says 4,204 children associated with armed conflict in the North East have been handed over to governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe after the routine re-radicalization and rehabilitation for onward reintegration processes with their families and loved ones to continue their normal life.
UNICEF Child Protection Manager, Maiduguri Field Office, Mr. Samuel Sesay, disclosed this at a two-day Task Force Meeting on Handover Protocol Implementation Plan held in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
According to him, the handing over protocol is an agreement signed in 2022 between the Federal Government and United Nations to ensure children associated with armed conflict are removed from military facilities or custody.
Sesay said: “The Protocol is a step by step procedure on how children, who either escaped from the custody of the armed group or were released by the insurgents leaders or surrendered voluntarily do not stay long in the military facilities or custody anywhere across the country before they reunite with their families and relations or released to the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for proper reintegration with the people.
“The Protocol is about children, who are affected by the armed conflict, wherein when they are released, how are they released, how long should they stay with the military and who to hand them over to and what to do with them” Sesay said
The Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Mohamed Hamza lauded the commitment of the UNICEF and other partners for putting in place the Protocol while soliciting for proper and successful implementation of the handing over protocol framework.
The commissioner, further, identified some challenges affecting the ministry on the hand over protocol implementation plan which include social integration of the children associated with armed conflict and economic challenges for the adolescents.
“Stakeholders present here must ensure that all child protection concerns are addressed comprehensively with full respect to guiding principles of child rights, including the children best interest, non-discrimination, active participation of children and the need to ensure their right to life and development ” the Commissioner said.
Zuwaira, however, expressed the readiness of the state government in ensuring that children alleged to have been associated with armed groups are released to the Ministry of Women Affairs within the stipulated seven days and provide them with the necessary comprehensive welfare package and rehabilitation before their reintegration with their loved ones.
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