The issue of missing children in Borno State has caused alarm, particularly after a distressing video surfaced showing a young boy admitting to being part of a group of children undergoing military training in a forest. Concerned residents fear that the increase in child disappearances may be linked to recruitment efforts by insurgents. Calls have been renewed by the #BringBackOurGirls movement for transparency regarding the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.
The viral video captured a boy confessing to weapons training with other children in a forest near Ajiri in Borno State. Residents shared heartbreaking accounts of missing children, with some still unaccounted for after years. The community is urging the government to take immediate action to locate the missing children, especially after the revealing video emerged.
Local authorities acknowledged the issue, with the state police command confirming regular reports of missing children. Concerns were raised about the exploitation of children as soldiers, with the suspicion falling on a specific group known for such activities. Efforts are being made to address the situation, balancing military operations with minimizing harm to innocent civilians, especially children.
The #BringBackOurGirls movement criticized the government for not disclosing the full report on the Chibok girls’ abduction. They called for accountability and transparency in resolving the case of the missing schoolgirls. The movement emphasized the importance of public disclosure and urged citizens to support their demand for a comprehensive investigation into the abduction incident.