Nigeria has been listed by the United Nations as one of the top five countries with the highest rates of child recruitment into armed groups, according to a report released ahead of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers.
The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Frazier, warned that the recruitment and use of children by both state forces and non-state armed groups remains one of the most widespread and devastating violations globally. In 2024 alone, over 7,400 children were verified as recruited or used in conflicts worldwide.
The highest incidences of such violations were reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Myanmar, highlighting the severe risks faced by children in conflict zones.
Frazier emphasized that each statistic represents a child whose life and future have been shattered by war. She noted that UN initiatives have helped release over 220,000 children from armed groups over the past three decades, but reintegration remains challenging due to trauma and stigma, particularly for girls.
The UN called for stronger global efforts to prevent child recruitment, protect children, and hold perpetrators accountable, stressing that sustainable peace cannot be achieved if the rights and futures of children are neglected.
.jpeg)
0 $type={blogger}: