The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo mni NPOM has decried the exploitation of Juveniles and minors into armed and ideological groups by Non- State Armed Groups (NSAGs) in causing insecurity and waging war against the Federal Government.
The Permanent Secretary made the statement during the Sensitization/Awareness exercise on Exploitation of Juveniles into armed and ideological groups for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Youths as well as Community Leaders held recently at the National Army Resource Center, Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs in the Ministry Alhaji Ali Grema informed that the programme was intended to create awareness on the recruitment process/ills of exploitation of Juveniles by NSAGs. He reiterated that juveniles are more easily manipulated, indoctrinated, groomed and recruited into different criminal/voilent extremist groups. As a result, it is pertinent to mention that this problem is on the increase especially in the conflict zones of the country which is a serious threat to the national security.
He stated that it is this threat that have necessitated in the Ministry organizing this programme with the view to discuss with relevant stakeholders and devise a national policy framework for protection of Juveniles and orphans.
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary said that it is expected that at the end of the programme everyone present will have a grasp of the recruitment strategy employed by the NSAGs and deploy appropriate measures to counter it. Community/Religious Leaders should be able to understand a red flag in the behavioural changes of juveniles. He also averred that stakeholders should be able to adopt preventive measures on juveniles that show traits related to extremism behaviour and all stakeholders should be able to educate others on the exploitation of Juveniles by NSAGs.
On his part, a Consultant on voilent extremism and the Executive Director Renvoi Consult Mr Saka Azimazi advised that the Federal Government should look into tackling the Social system that leads to the abandonment of children if the Federal Government is committed in tackling the menace.
In the same vein, the National Coordinator Young Ambassadors Against Drug Abuse Initiative Barrister Zainab Khaleel said that the Federal Government should look into tackling the Social system that excludes children from decision making process and matters that affect them.
The Head, Special Duties Nadia Soso in her Vote of thanks appreciated the stakeholders and participants for this useful contributions to the programme.
The event was attended by the Directors in the Ministry, Representatives from MDAs and otherHe relevant stakeholders.
By Rhoda Ishaku Iliya
