UNICEF Nigeria Welcomes Release of Over 180 Children Suspected of Boko Haram Ties from Administrative Custody

In November 2016, UNICEF Child Protection Officer walks with children at Maiduguri transit centre, Borno State, Nigeria. © UNICEF/UN038572/Naftalin (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada).

UNICEF Nigeria Welcomes Release of Over 180 Children Suspected of Boko Haram Ties from Administrative Custody

ABUJA, Nigeria, July 9, 2018 /CNW/ - UNICEF welcomes today the release of 183 children from Nigerian Armed Forces, in Maiduguri, Borno State, northeast Nigeria. The release comes after the children, aged 7-18, were cleared of ties with Boko Haram insurgents.

"These 8 girls and 175 boys are first and foremost victims of the ongoing conflict and their release is an important step on their long road to recovery," said Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. "We will be working with the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and partners to provide the children with all the assistance they need. I also want to commend the action taken by the military and the authorities, it demonstrates a clear commitment to better protect children affected by the conflict."

After having been held in administrative custody, the children will receive medical attention and psychosocial support before the process of reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them into society begins.

Since 2017, UNICEF has supported the social and economic reintegration of more than 8,700 children released from armed groups, helping trace their families, returning them to their communities, offering them psychosocial support, education, vocational training and informal apprenticeships, as well as opportunities to improve livelihoods.

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UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

CONTACT: To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866, scarmichael@unicef.ca

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