9 Shocking Reasons Child Soldiers are Used in Nigeria

As the twenty-first century progresses, there is one problem Nigeria keeps facing – the recruitment of child soldiers. The continuous use of children in armed conflicts is worsening in the face of growing armed conflict in the North.

This article discusses the reasons for the continuous use of child soldiers in Nigeria.

Definition of a Child Soldier

A child soldier is a person below 18 years of age who is or has been used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity. This includes not only children who take a direct part in the fighting, but also those who are used as cooks, porters, messengers, spies, or for sexual exploitation. This tells you that girls are also recruited.

According to UNICEF, over 8,000 child soldiers have been recruited by armed groups in Nigeria particularly, in the Northeast where insurgency has continued for 13 years.

Why do armed groups use child soldiers? You may ask. Two reasons stand out.

1. Strategic Advantage: Armed groups may view children as assets due to their small size. Since they also look innocent, can be employed in various roles, including as informants, messengers, or even fighters. This gives armed groups a tactical advantage over their unsuspecting rivals.

2. Revenge: In areas with prolonged conflicts, armed groups may recruit children who have experienced violence against their families or communities. They are therefore easily manipulated into desiring revenge against the killers. This forces their involvement in armed activities.

What are the Causes of the Continuous Use of Child Soldiers?

1. Poverty: In regions marked by poverty, armed groups may exploit the difficult situations of families by offering financial rewards or resources like food in exchange for the recruitment of their children.

2. Breakdown of Social Institutions: In conflict-ridden areas, the breakdown of social institutions like the family, religious groups, and government can leave children without adequate protection. Armed groups therefore exploit this void by offering protection to helpless children.

3. Influence of Armed Ideologies: Ideological motivations play a significant role in the recruitment of child soldiers. Armed groups often play the ethnic, religious, or political cards, manipulating young minds with lies that their involvement in armed conflict is a noble cause.

4. Weak Law Enforcement: Weak law enforcement structures and a lack of effective prosecution mechanisms create an environment where armed groups operate without fear.

5. Influence of External Forces: External actors, including neighbouring countries, foreign militias, or international sponsors, may play a role in driving armed groups to recruit children. These forces might have their geopolitical interests, and the use of child soldiers becomes a tool to advance their agendas.

6. Lack of Educational Opportunities: Limited access to schools and the destruction of school properties during conflict make children vulnerable. When a child who is supposed to be learning in the classroom is idle and roaming the streets, he may start seeking alternative paths. This includes involvement with armed groups.

8. Ineffective Demobilization and Rehabilitation Programs: Even when child soldiers are released or escape from armed groups, the lack of effective demobilization and rehabilitation programs hinders their successful reintegration into society. Lack of support leaves these children open to re-recruitment or a life plagued by trauma and hardship.

9. Cultural Acceptance: Some cultures accept child soldiers as a norm. They have harmful beliefs about honour, duty, and sacrifice that come to children involved in armed conflicts. Thus, they promote the continuous cycle of child soldier recruitment.

What Long-Term Effects Do Child Soldiers Face?

The scars left by the recruitment of child soldiers in Nigeria run deeper than the visible wounds of conflict. The impact of wars on child soldiers is long-lasting.

Let us discuss the long-term effects that persist in the lives of those who were once child soldiers.

1. Psychological Trauma: Child soldiers are exposed to violence, forced to commit atrocities, and constantly threatened. These create a foundation for severe mental health issues. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders become unwelcome companions, haunting them well into adulthood.

2. Interrupted Education: Lack of access to schools during conflict, coupled with the demands of armed service, leaves these children with limited formal education. This affects their future career opportunities.

3. Social Stigma: The stigma associated with child soldiers' past involvement in armed groups often leads to rejection and isolation. Communities, sometimes understandably cautious, struggle to accept these individuals as a part of them.

4. Difficulty in Forming Relationships: Forming and maintaining healthy connections is challenging for survivors. Many develop trust issues and fear of judgment due to the haunting memories of their past actions and experiences.

5. Lost Childhood: Child soldiers are robbed of their innocence because they are forced to witness the harsh realities of adulthood prematurely. This premature loss of childhood and identity leaves lasting imprints. It affects their self-esteem and ability to handle life beyond the battlefield.

6. Economic Challenges: Limited educational opportunities and societal rejection contribute to economic challenges for former child soldiers. Many face difficulties securing a job, thus, continuing the cycle of poverty.

7. Cycles of Violence: Sadly, some former child soldiers, get used to the brutality of conflict and continue cycles of violence. The lack of effective rehabilitation systems increases their risk of re-engagement in armed activities, increasing ongoing instability.

8. Impact on Family Relationships: The reintegration process also affects family relationships. Families may struggle to cope with the emotional burden carried by the former child soldiers.

Do you see that if the recruitment of child soldiers is not stopped soon, it will have negative impacts on thousands of children, families, and society? It is time to end it.

The question remains, is Nigeria willing to?