Federal Government, UNICEF Collaborate To Protect Children AS Victims of War
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
A 2021 report by the African Union on the welfare and rights of children notes an estimated 6,000 Nigerian children live in prisons and detention centres across the country. 
This the Federal government has promised to tackle as it signs an agreement with the United Nations Systems in Nigeria and the UNICEF Country Office in Nigeria on the handover protocol for children encountered in the course of armed conflict in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin 
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who signed on behalf of Nigeria, the role of the handover protocol is to avoid military detention of children, ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration and as well, protect their rights.
He promised that government will prioritise securing the rights of children who are often the victims of war and create enabling atmosphere for them to have a better future.
Minister Onyeama, noted that even though adults are also affected by war, children are the most directly affected for they are the powerless victims of the horrors committed against their families and are often killed, wounded or exploited during the conflicts. 
The Minister, stated that Nigeria adopted the Child’s Rights Act in 2003 so as to domesticate the Convention on the rights of the child as it expands the human rights bestowed on the citizens in Nigeria’s 1999 constitution to children.
He promised that government and UNICEF will jointly carry out a monthly visit to all detention facilities to assess the needs of children and provide timely care and support to children under any security agency’s jurisdiction and prepare for their release, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The country Director of UNICEF, Ms. Cristian Munduate, in her speech, appreciated efforts of the federal government and all stakeholders for the unconditional release of 2677 children out of which 887 were girls.
She said UNICEF is encouraged by all the actions taken by the federal government and the Nigeria Military to ensure the protection of children allegedly associated with armed bandits in contact during military and security operations in the North East Nigeria.
Ms. Munduate, promised that UNICEF will continue to support the efforts of government through the Ministry of Women Affairs to protect and promote the rights of children affected by armed conflict including those abducted, armed or recruited and used by armed bandits.
