Children In Armed Conflict: Army Chief, UNICEF Co-convene Endorsement Meeting

The Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has co-convened the review and endorsement meeting of the Handover Protocol Implementation Plan with UNICEF at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

The meeting was convened to endorse the implementation plan for the handover protocol for Children Encountered in the course of Armed Conflict in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yaminu Ehinomen Musa (Rtd) stated that the agreement to develop a Handover Protocol of Children Encountered during conflict was signed between the government of Nigeria, United Nations and UNICEF on 30 Sep 2022.

He stated further that “under this agreement, the signatories are to develop an operation plan to guide the implementation Protocol which will enable quick identification and transfer of the children allegedly associated with armed group to ministry of women affairs within the period of 7 days.”

The COAS, represented by the Chief of Civil-military Affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo said that “Nigeria is now among the few countries across the world with significant achievement of having a Handover Protocol in place to enhance the protection of children affected by armed conflict, most especially those children allegedly associated with armed groups.”

General Ugbo stressed that Handover Protocol offers children a safe avenue to leave armed groups and to receive the necessary support.

He also assured the UNICEF of the NA’s commitment to the protocol as well as the code of conduct and rules of engagement, which are consistent with the provisions of relevant international laws.

The highlight of the event was the signing of the Handover Protocol Implementation by the Nigerian Army, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), representative of the National Security Adviser, Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Federal ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Those who witnessed the ceremony include; the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, UNICEF Representative, Mrs Cristian Munduate, Charge d Affairs ad Interim of the United States, Mr David Greene, Ambassador of Norway, Mr Svein Baera, UNICEF Chief Child Protection, Mr Ibrahim Sasay and representatives from the Theatre Command Op HADIN KAI.

Mercy Chukwudiebere