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In a troubling update on Nigeria’s ongoing battle against Boko Haram, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa has disclosed that over 60,000 of the more than 120,000 Boko Haram members who have surrendered are children. This staggering figure underscores the insurgents’ horrific exploitation of vulnerable populations, revealing the depth of the crisis faced by the nation.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, General Musa elaborated on the shocking statistics, emphasizing the disturbing reality that many of these child fighters were not willing participants in the violence. “What we realised again is that not everyone that is part of it is a terrorist. Some of them were conscripted, some of them were forced, some were enslaved,” he stated, shedding light on the grim circumstances surrounding these children who were often born into a culture of violence.
The General further articulated the alarming tactics employed by Boko Haram as they face significant military pressure. He noted that the insurgents have adopted a strategy focused on breeding a new generation of fighters. “They now decided to start impregnating the women. And what they do is that if a woman gives birth, four months after giving birth, they impregnate her again,” Musa explained. This calculated approach aims to sustain their violent legacy through children who will view such atrocities as normal.
Musa painted a picture of the dire consequences this could have on society, asserting that children indoctrinated in such an environment would lack empathy and sympathy for human life. “Those kids growing up in a society where killing is rampant, beheading, and all sorts of inhumane activities, they will not have empathy,” he remarked, emphasizing the long-term implications of Boko Haram’s actions on future generations.
To address the fallout from this alarming trend, General Musa detailed the profiling and rehabilitation processes in place for surrendered members of the insurgents. Collaborating with state police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies, the military is working to investigate those who are found culpable while providing care and support for women, children, and elderly members.
Amid these challenges, General Musa expressed optimism about Nigeria’s security landscape. He noted significant strides have been made in restoring safety and rebuilding confidence among citizens across the nation. “Nigeria is safe and will continue to be safe,” he declared, reinforcing the government’s commitment to deradicalization and rehabilitation efforts aimed at sustaining long-term peace.
The revelations from General Musa not only highlight the immediate challenges posed by Boko Haram but also serve as a call to action for the international community and local leaders. As Nigeria grapples with the complexities of insurgency, there is a critical need for concerted efforts to heal the wounds inflicted by years of violence and to create a future devoid of such extremism.
As the nation moves forward, the stark realities of child involvement in terrorism underscore the urgency of comprehensive strategies focused on education, social reintegration, and mental health support for those affected. Only through these efforts can Nigeria hope to build a resilient society equipped to counter the cycle of violence perpetuated by groups like Boko Haram.
