Boko Haram, ISWAP recruiting child soldiers – Army raises alarm
The Nigerian army has raised the alarm, alerting the public that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups are recruiting child soldiers to swell their camp.
The statement is coming following a viral video of young boys shooting some men believed to be Nigerian soldiers.
The video released by the ISWAP, according to the Associated Press, was published on Tuesday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi activities.
In the video, a man in the Nigerian Army uniform, who claimed that he was with the army special forces, was shot twice in the head by a boy of about 12.
Shortly after, another soldier, who said he was captured in April 2021, was shot in the head by one of the three masked fighters behind him.
Speaking with Punch on Friday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that the action of the terrorists had been a long time practice in terrorism across the world.
He said the terrorists were trying to embark on a recruitment drive with the video as many of their fighters had surrendered to troops.
Nwachukwu stated, “We are studying the video. However, the action of the terrorists has been a long-time practice in terrorism across the globe.
“They have always taken advantage of the vulnerable in society, particularly women and children, to advance their evil cause.
“Recall that the terrorist groups, ISWAP/Boko Haram, have in the past used women and children as suicide bombers. They have also conscripted children and minors, who they engage as child soldiers, and women, who they use as sex slaves.
“Having been depleted by our troops, the imbroglio in their ranks and the massive surrendering of Boko Haram, the terrorists in a desperate move are embarking on a recruitment drive to shore up their strength with child soldiers, who they can easily indoctrinate, manipulate and cheaply manage financially.
“We have raised this alarm before now and have since commenced sensitisation in the North-East to guard against and block their recruitment drive.”
Nwachukwu urged residents of the North-East not to be deceived by the gimmicks of ISWAP terrorists into releasing their children and wards for their evil cause.
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