The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called for the need to restore the dignity of children and protect those affected by violence and conflict in Nigeria.

Cheikh Ousmane Toure, UNODC’s country representative, said this at the fifth World Congress on Justice with Children on Monday in Maiduguri.

According to Mr Toure, children in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have been neglected by society, with many abducted, trafficked and forcibly recruited into armed and criminal groups since 2009.

Mr Toure said available statistics had shown that no fewer than 1,385 children were recruited between 2017 and 2019 into various criminal groups.

The envoy, however, called for urgent and sustained action to protect innocent children in the conflict region of the country.

“These figures are just statistics. Each one represents a child whose life, dignity, and future are at risk.

“About 60 per cent of those affected are youths. Nigeria’s development depends on the protection and empowerment of its young population,” Mr Toure said.

He said the country needed an inclusive approach for its young population to be on the right path, adding that the voices of the young people must be heard locally, nationally and globally.

“The protection of children is not optional. The prevention demands more than rhetoric. It requires resources, commitment and accountability,” Mr Toure said.

He added that the congress had brought legal experts, civil society organisations, youth leaders, and international agencies committed to building a justice system that prioritises children’s rights, prevents violence and enables young Nigerians to reclaim their future.

“Together, we can build a future where no child is left behind and where every child has the chance to contribute to Nigeria’s full development potential,” Mr Toure said.

Earlier, while declaring the congress open, Governor Babagana Zulum reassured the children that his administration is committed to prioritising their interests in the decision-making process, especially regarding juvenile justice.

Mr Zulum promised not to allow children affected by conflicts to be recruited as child soldiers by terrorists.

(NAN)