Boko Haram: UNICEF applauds release of 24 children from administrative custody - NaijaAgroNet

NaijaAgroNet:

UNICEF has welcomed the release of 24 children aged 12 to 17 from Nigerian Army administrative custody after they were cleared of suspected ties with armed groups, especially the Boko Haram, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This brings the number of children released this year to 207.

“For these children, the long journey towards reuniting with their families, reintegrating with their communities and fulfilling their dreams starts today. We must support these children to fulfil their hopes and aspirations,” said UNICEF Nigeria acting Representative Pernille Ironside.

“UNICEF will continue to work with military and the authorities to support the reintegration of all children released, until there are no more children in administrative custody.”

As part of these efforts, UNICEF works with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and partners to provide the children with medical attention and psychosocial support, before the process begins of reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them into society.

Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children previously associated with non-state actors in north-east Nigeria, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, and offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

However, the resources available to support children affected by the conflict in north-east Nigeria are limited, with just under half of the required resources available,limiting UNICEF’s ability to deliver an integrated package of protection, WASH, nutrition and health services for the survival and development of vulnerable children in conflict affected areas.

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UNICEF welcomes release of abducted 82 Chibok school girls

NaijaAgroNet:

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has welcomed the last Saturday release of some 82 Chibok school girls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group, reports NaijaAgroNet.

As gathered by NaijaAgroNet the girls were released in exchange of Boko Haram members arrested by the Federal Government.

Emergency Communications Specialist at UNICEF Nigeria, Harriet Dwyer said that it is heartening to know that the girls will be returning to their families who have been waiting for this day.

“They will face a long and difficult process to rebuild their lives after the indescribable horror and trauma they have suffered at the hands of Boko Haram.

“UNICEF is on standby to support the Nigerian authorities to provide the comprehensive psychosocial support and other specialized services needed. We will help reunite the girls with their families and make sure they can continue their education in a safe environment. Already staff at a UNICEF supported health clinic have been supporting immediate efforts to identify the girls and conduct medical check-ups before their onward transport.

“UNICEF calls on Boko Haram to end all grave violations against children, especially the abduction of children and the sexual abuse and forced marriage of girls.

“We commend the government for this important achievement in helping to protect children impacted by the conflict in northeast Nigeria but remain deeply concerned for the thousands of women and children still held in captivity by Boko Haram. Greater efforts must be made to bring them all to safety and home to their families.

“UNICEF has a comprehensive response to help children who have been affected by the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin and works with national authorities to support hundreds of children and women who have escaped or been released from Boko Haram. Every child is unique and requires different levels of support, so there is no standard formula or defined timeframe for these children to recover. 

UNICEF is committed to doing whatever it takes, as long as it takes to help these children recover a sense of normalcy with our available resources,” Dwyer said.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE

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PMB applauds security agencies, RedCross, NGOs on release of 82 Chibok girls

NaijaAgroNet:

The President, Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the security agencies, RedCross, non-government organisations on the release of 82 Chibok girls by Boko Haram yesterday, Saturday, reports NaijaAgroNet.

Buhari in his remarks on the release of the 82 Chibok secondary school girls in exchange for Boko Haram members in state security custody, said this is a pleasant 2nd anniversary gift to the people of Nigeria.

“I cannot express in a few words how happy I am to welcome our dear girls back to freedom. On behalf of all Nigerians, I will like to share my joy with you, your parents, your relatives, friends and Government of Borno State on regaining your freedom.

“The Federal Government will like to commend the Security Agencies, the Red Cross, local authorities, local and foreign NGOs and all those who contributed in one way or another to secure the release of our Chibok Girls,” he said.

He reassured Nigerians, especially relatives and friends of the remaining girls that the Federal Government will spare no effort to see that they and all other Nigerians who have been abducted safely regain their freedom.

“Finally, I am very pleased to have personally met you and let me assure you that the Presidency will personally supervise the performance of those entrusted with your welfare and commitments made by the Federal Government on your health, education, security and general well-being,” he said.

Buhari decried that no human being should go through this kind of ordeal. The security agencies and state governments should continue to provide special protection to educational institutions vulnerable to this kind of outrage especially in remote areas.

This administration, he said, is resolutely determined to safeguard the security of all Nigerians at all times.

“Once again, I congratulate you and your parents on your safe return,” he said in a press statement endorsed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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