Outrage as video of child soldiers goes viral

Borno map

Residents in Borno State have expressed deep concern over a viral video showing underage children, suspected to be terrorist child soldiers, dressed in full camouflage in a deserted forest.

The video, obtained by our correspondent on Monday, shows about 18 children fully kitted in military uniforms, assembled in a straight line while jubilating in an isolated forest.

While the exact location is yet to be confirmed, residents say the language spoken by the children suggests they may be from the Ngoshe axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno South Senatorial District.

In a Facebook post early Monday, the Secretary of the Coalition of Borno South APC Youth Group, Junaid Jibril Maiva, described the situation as a ticking time bomb.

He wrote, “These appear to be child soldiers, possibly from the Ngoshe axis, judging by the language they are speaking. If this is not a ticking time bomb, then I don’t know what is.” He called for immediate government action to stop the trend, warning of future repercussions.

“The government must act deliberately and decisively, or this war risks consuming us all,” he added.

Meanwhile, another Facebook user, Muhammad Abdulrahman, suggested the children might be hostages.

“A reason the Nigerian Air Force can’t wipe them off overnight; the hundreds of people they are holding hostages,” he said.

When contacted for comment, Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, said the children may have been forcefully adopted following recent attacks.

“I have not seen the video, but, categorically, I can tell you from experience that such children are victims that are sometimes forcefully adopted from streets and even schools. Punch