Insurgency: Borno to rehabilitate, reintegrate 183 children

The Nigerian Army yesterday handed over 183 children associated with armed groups in the North east to Borno state government and the United Nations for rehabilitation and integration.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who handed over the children immediately after signing of a memorandum of understanding held at the officers mess, Maiduguri, said the Army officially handed over the arrested children associated with armed groups during operations in the North east.
He said the children were handed over after through and vigorous screening and interrogation of the suspects, having found them safe and fit to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society.
The COAS, who was represented by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Rogers Nicholas, thanked the state government and UN for their support and cooperation in accepting them for rehabilitation before they would be reintegrated into the society.
Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima, in his remarks, thanked the military for clearing and releasing the children while appreciating the efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian armed forces.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fanta Baba Shehu, the governor commended the military for their bravery and commitment.
He further thanked the COAS, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai, for his untiring efforts in ensuring that peace returns to the state, North east and country at large.
The governor also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the UN for taking the responsibility of rehabilitating and reintegrating the children while urging the children to be of good behaviour and conduct themselves reasonably during the rehabilitation exercise.
He also congratulated the children for their successful clearance and subsequent release by the Nigerian army for rehabilitation and reintegration.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malik-Fall, thanked the Nigerian military for clearing and releasing the children and appreciated the efforts and sacrifices of the Nigerian armed forces in its general operations in the north east.