Borno Residents Alarmed by Video of Suspected Child Soldiers

A viral video has alarmed residents of Borno State, showing 18 underage children dressed in military uniforms, suspected to be child soldiers. The video, obtained by Mondai Express, indicates that the children are located in the Ngoshe area of Gwoza Local Government.

Junaid Jibril Maiva, Secretary of the Coalition Borno South APC Youth Group, described the situation as a "tick time bomb" and called for immediate government action. Zuwaira Gambo, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, noted that children are often forcibly adopted during attacks and emphasized the state's efforts to prevent child recruitment.

She highlighted initiatives such as creating school clubs and rehabilitating 200 children from the streets. UNICEF's Tarek Akkad reported that in 2024 alone, 1,120 children were recruited across Northeast Nigeria, with 525 boys and 595 girls affected.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has called for intensified prayers against rising insecurity, urging both Muslim and Christian communities to unite in prayer.