The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has handed over key documents to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) and the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) outlining protocols for the protection of children during armed conflicts.
The documents provide an implementation plan for the handover protocol concerning children encountered during military operations in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.
During the presentation at AFCSC, Ibrahim Sesay, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Nigeria, highlighted the grave violations against children in armed conflict and emphasized the importance of safeguarding children in line with international human rights and humanitarian laws. Sesay called for stronger partnerships to protect children encountered during military operations, particularly in the Northeast and other conflict-affected regions.
Rear Admiral Aniefiok Uko, Deputy Commandant of AFCSC, stated that the college already includes international and humanitarian law courses in its curriculum. He noted that the newly adopted protocol would directly apply to students, field commanders, and frontline military personnel, enhancing their capacity to protect children during operations.
UNICEF is also set to hand over the same documents to the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and the Nigerian Armed Forces for further implementation. This initiative aims to ensure that children are protected and their rights upheld during armed conflicts.
