The United States government on Monday said it will press the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the education of the armed forces on the laws and policy against the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers.

The U.S. government also stated that it will ensure Buhari’s government focus on remote areas where such incident mostly occurs.

The government, in its 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report, encouraged the Nigerian government to continue cracking down on the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Further, the report tasked the Borno state government to continue its support of the Civilian Joint Task Force in compliance with the Action Plan signed with the United Nations, and ensure the release of any child soldiers and seize to recruit.

An excerpt of the report reads, “The UN and the CJTF, with the support of the government, have since identified and formally separated over 1,700 children, including 894 in May 2019.

“The Nigerian military has also responded to end the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers when isolated incidents are brought to their attention.

In October 2019, at least two children (under the age of 15) were recruited and used in supporting roles at a remote checkpoint in Northeast Nigeria.

“Following community-level engagement by UNICEF, the use ended. Some military personnel are participating in training programs on children’s rights. There were no other reports of child soldier use in 2019.”