Borno State Records Cases of Missing Children Amidst Boko Haram Recruitment

A disturbing video featuring a young boy confessing to undergoing military training in a forest alongside dozens of other children has sparked widespread concern in Borno State.

The video, which went viral on social media, has raised fears that Boko Haram is stepping up its recruitment of children as soldiers. Residents of the state have come forward to share their own experiences of missing children, with many expressing fears that their loved ones may have fallen prey to the terrorist group’s recruitment efforts.

According to residents, the disappearance of children in the state has become a recurring phenomenon, with many cases going unreported. Aisha Ali, a mother of two from Mafa, recounted the disappearance of her six-year-old child, Mustapha, who went missing in February 2022. Despite searches and announcements on local radio stations, Mustapha’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Another resident, Muhammad Mamman, shared a similar experience, recounting how his brother’s four-year-old child went missing last year. The child’s disappearance was announced on local radio, but she remains unaccounted for.

The #BringBackOurGirls movement has renewed its calls for the Nigerian government to release the findings of the fact-finding committee on the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. With 78 girls still unaccounted for, the group is demanding transparency and accountability in the search for those still missing.

The Borno State Police Command has acknowledged the rise in cases of missing children, with spokesperson Nahum Daso stating that at least one case is reported every week. While many cases have been resolved, others remain ongoing.

The state government has attributed the recruitment of children by terrorist groups to the activities of the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP). Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig Gen Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq (retd.), noted that ISWAP is known to recruit and train children as soldiers.

The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of the Chibok girls’ abduction, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability. The #BringBackOurGirls movement has urged citizens to demand comprehensive public disclosure of the tragedy and the release of all investigations conducted into the abduction.

As the search for missing children in Borno State continues, residents are calling for greater action from the government to address the root causes of the disappearances. With fears of Boko Haram recruitment on the rise, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response to the crisis has never been more urgent.