By Martha Agas
The National Orientation Agency ( NOA), is seeking partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP),Civil Society Organisations(CSOs and other relevant groups in its campaign on ending recruitment of minors by terrorists.
The State Director of NOA in Plateau, Mrs Kaneng Pam- Hworo made the call, during the agency’s advocacy visit to the various organisations on Tuesday in Jos.
She said the visit was part of Federal Government efforts to curb recruitment of child soldiers in the North East and other parts of Nigeria, describing the organisations as relevant and critical to achieve the feat.
“The North East in particular, and other parts of Nigeria generally, is witnessing a disturbing trend of recruitment of Child Soldiers by terrorists, which is on the increase.
”The menace of this practice has reached frightening heights.
“No nation can progress whether socially, politically, or economically under such unwholesome activities,” she said.
She said NOA was determined to intensify its campaign to collectively discourage and end the act which has grave security implications.
She added that the action would also secure the future of children in Nigeria and shore up development.
NOA also decried the use of pictures and videos of gun wielding children on social media, saying it was an act promoting terrorism.
In his remarks, the state commander of NAPTIP in Plateau, Mr Adole Alexander described the state as endemic in human trafficking, saying it currently has 77 cases with 10 in the court.
He said the organisation would support NOA in its campaign and was already conducting weekly public enlightenment in schools, markets, motor parks against child trafficking.
He said NAPTIP had interfaced with chairmen of local governments areas in Plateau, seeking their cooperation to conduct sensitisation in rural areas.
Similarly, the State Coordinator of CSOs in Plateau, Mr Gad Shamaki said they would partner with government on efforts to address vulnerability of children to recruitment for terrorist activities and other ills in the society.
He called for good governance in the country, explaining that it is critical to improve standard of living in the county which can address security issues.
“The underlying issues causing terrorism must be addressed to end it and this includes addressing the issue of Almajiri (Quranic students) in the society, who are easy targets for child labour and recruitment by terrorists,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that NOA also visited CAN and Fed Min of labour and Employment.
NAN