The Nigerian Army says it has rescued some 23 minors held captive by Boko Haram.
It said on Saturday that these 23 minors have now been handed over to the United Nations Children Fund for rehabilitation.
A senior military official, Major General Abbah Dikko gave details of this rescue mission in Maiduguri, the Borno State of Nigeria’s north-east.
Dikko said the handing over of the children to UNICEF was in conformity with global best practices.
“In compliance with global best practices, we handed over these children associated with armed group to UNICEF,” Dikko said.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Borno State, Geoffrey Ijumba, welcomed the release of the minors.
The 23 boys and girls aged between 12 and 17 years were initially held in military custody.
UNICEF is now expected to work with the military and the Borno State Government to rehabilitate the minors. The children will require medical attention, psychological and social supports.
Last month some 183 children linked with militant group, were also handed over to Unicef for similar rehabilitation process.
The children included 175 boys and eight girls. Some of them were used as fighters and suicide bombers by the Boko Haram elements.
Boko Haram continues to wreck havoc in parts of Nigeria, killing several and displacing millions. The government has struggled to contain the activities of the militant group so far.
Source: Africafeeds.com
