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“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
By: Zagazola Makama
At just 11 years old, Fatima (not her real name) has lived through experiences unimaginable to most. With three children in tow, she surrendered from a Boko Haram enclave, carrying the weight of trauma and responsibilities far beyond her years. Her story, shared by Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, spotlighted the urgent plight of vulnerable children and young mothers emerging from the insurgency.
“She’s just a child herself,” Wakilbe said. “To see an 11-year-old with three children is heartbreaking. This reflects the harsh reality of many girls and women caught in the insurgency, particularly in border communities like Bama, Banki, and Gwoza.”
Fatima’s surrender is part of a growing wave of young girls and women being repatriated or rescued, often from neighboring countries like Cameroon. Many, aged between 13 and 15, return with children born in captivity. With limited options, some resort to prostitution to survive, a crisis that the Commissioner attributes to extreme poverty and a lack of viable alternatives.
The Commissioner’s call to action underscores the need for urgent intervention. “Poverty is the driving force behind these vices,” he explained. “We need to establish Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in vulnerable areas. These centers can provide skills and startup packs for young mothers like Fatima, enabling them to rebuild their lives.”
Wakilbe stressed that traditional education systems are ill suited to address the unique needs of conflict affected children and girls. Many have witnessed violence, displacement, and abduction, leaving them in need of tailored rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
Efforts to integrate these children into regular schools have faced significant challenges. Wakilbe cited the example of some Chibok girls who struggled in secondary schools and were eventually transferred to specialized programs like the Second Chance School.
“Without long term planning, we’re failing these children,” Wakilbe said. “Donor agencies often miss the mark, implementing programs that don’t address immediate needs. For instance, teaching local languages in areas dominated by other dialects is less impactful than providing a foundational education in English.”
Despite graduating over 300 women through the Second Chance Program and equipping them with vocational skills, the challenges persist. Underage mothers like Fatima remain some of the most vulnerable.
During a courtesy visit by Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, CEO of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, the Commissioner highlighted the need for collaborative efforts.
Allamin echoed these concerns, sharing insights from her foundation’s work in deradicalizing women and girls.
“Our initiatives, supported by the military and local communities, have helped hundreds of women and girls surrender and reintegrate,” Allamin said. “But the magnitude of the problem requires sustainable, proactive solutions.”
Allamin noted that the challenge extends beyond personal experiences; it calls for urgent action from local authorities, NGOs, and international organizations.
“In our foundation, we have Built vocational education centers and providing tailored programs for rehabilitation which has been helping in addressing the immediate needs of these victims.
“We also Established community awareness programs which foster understanding and acceptance, helping to mitigate the stigma faced by those returning from captivity.
Zagazola Makama understands that the plight of women and girls who fall victim to abduction by Boko Haram presents an alarming reality in Borno State, Nigeria. Many of these victims, after enduring harrowing experiences, return to their communities only to face severe stigmatization and an array of abuses. This issue is compounded by the trauma they have experienced during their captivity, which often includes being forcibly married to militants and bearing children under traumatic circumstances.
Upon returning to their communities, these victims encounter immense societal rejection. A former female member of Boko Haram, who chose to repent and return to her family, poignantly described the painful atmosphere awaiting those who escape the clutches of the insurgency.
She noted, “The Boko Haram tagged Nigeria as the land of sinners. When they come back from the bush, they know they are already living in hell.” This metaphor encapsulates the emotional and social turmoil that victims like her face. Rather than finding solace and support upon their return, many feel further isolated and condemned by their communities.
The stigma attached to being a victim of insurgency extends beyond mere judgment. Victims often experience verbal, physical, and psychological abuse from individuals who view them as tainted or unclean due to their experiences. Such treatment fosters an environment of despair, compelling many to engage in desperate measures to survive.
Prostitution and other nefarious activities have become common among these women, driven by a need for financial stability and, in some cases, by the misguided belief that engaging in these activities may offer them an escape from their grim realities.
The cycles of poverty and violence exacerbate these challenges. Economic hardships and limited access to education and employment opportunities leave few alternatives for victims, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability. While some women resort to these activities as a means of survival, others may find temporary pleasure or a sense of agency in reclaiming control over their lives, despite the risks involved.
Furthermore, the broader societal neglect exacerbates the situation. Many young mothers remain trapped in a system that fails to recognize their unique needs. Efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate these individuals often lack the necessary resources and long-term planning to be effective. For instance, initiatives focusing solely on education without addressing immediate economic needs fall short of providing the comprehensive support required for successful reintegration.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
“It breaks my heart to see an 11 year old surrendered from Boko Haram enclave with three children” Borno Commissioner
Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day
… Approves 10 patrol vehicles, other logistics to military, volunteers
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, observed prayer and fasting day aimed at fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.
Arriving Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Council, before sunset on Sunday, Zulum spent the night coordinating support for security agencies and volunteer forces.
Kala-Balge is one of the communities in Borno State that has faced persistent security challenges from Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents that have disrupted daily life and threatened peace.
According to Zulum, the visit was part of his commitment to fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.
Zulum urged citizens to observe fasting and prayers today (Monday) in a statewide broadcast on Saturday, stating “In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity. This Monday, I am inviting you to join me in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to reign in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, and indeed the entire country.”
The Governor expressed appreciation to the people of Borno and those outside the state for heeding his call to observe fasting and prayers for the restoration of peace in Borno.
He said “let me express my appreciation to thousands of people in Borno that have observed today’s fasting and praying for peace to reign in our state. People from other states and even beyond Nigeria joined in seeking divine intervention for the security challenges we are facing. We thank everyone for the solidarity.”
… Approves 10 patrol vehicles, other logistics to military, volunteers
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved 10 patrol vehicles to support the military and youth volunteers in combating the criminal activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
Zulum, who announced the approval on Monday while addressing both groups separately, noted that while the volunteers comprising CJTF, hunters and vigilantes would receive 6 Takoma/Toyota Hilux, an additional 4 gun-trucks would be donated to the military.
The Governor rounded up the visit in Kala-Balge by distributing food items to over 10,000 families, mostly women and their vulnerable family members.
Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day
Yobe civil service faces challenges of Boko Haram in 15 years—HoS
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State civil service has faced unprecedented challenges for over fifteen years as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
This was disclosed by the Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Tonga Betara, during the opening of a 5-day workshop commenced by the Multi-sectoral Crisis Recovery Project for North-East Nigeria (MCRP).
The workshop, being held in Kano, brought together over 150 top-ranking civil servants, including directors of personnel management, heads of departments, and other key officials from various MDAs in the state, aimed at strengthening public service for post-crisis recovery.
Alhaji Betara highlighted the devastating impact of the over 15-year insurgency on the civil service and noted that it has affected the performance of civil servants and the experienced public servants are also retiring from service.
“In response to this situation, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, had earlier given approval for various capacity-building training for civil servants in the state.” Tonga said.
He commended the efforts of MCRP for collaborating with the office of the head of service in organizing several capacity-building workshops to complement government efforts on manpower needs of the state.
In his welcome address, Yobe State Project Coordinator MCRP, Alhaji Musa Idi Jidawa, expressed gratitude toGovernor Mai Mala Buni, CON, for his unwavering support and encouragement towards the implementation of the training workshops.
According to him, the civil service faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency; hence, the workshop is aimed at building capacity to design and implement effective strategies that will enable the civil service in the state to drive recovery efforts.
The workshop is designed to equip participants with necessary skills and knowledge, provide a platform for participants to share experiences, identify challenges, and develop effective strategies for post-crisis recovery in Yobe State.
Yobe civil service faces challenges of Boko Haram in 15 years—HoS
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Senator Kingibe: Bill Outlawing Infanticide would be Presenting on the Floor of the Senate
Senator Kingibe: Bill Outlawing Infanticide would be Presenting on the Floor of the Senate
By: Michael Mike
The bill outlawing infanticide in the country would soon be sponsored on the floor of the Senate, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory has promised.
The lawmaker made this promise at the weekend in Abuja during a visit to Vines Heritage Home (VHH), a home that host scores of children who were saved from infanticide from community within and around the Federal Capital Territory.
The children were declared not worthy of living for being born as twins and were to be killed before being rescued by the Home and taken care of.
Speaking after having interaction with children of the Home, including the proprietor, Olusola Stevens, Senator Kingibe said it was absurd for children to be blamed for the misfortune of their parents or be killed for coming as double blessings.
She said she will be presenting a bill to the Senate to end this scourge and called on the members of the public to come out and speak against infanticide and help the children of the Home.
Speaking earlier, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Mamedu who led Senator Kingibe to the Home, said the organisation was happy to welcome the Senator to the Home, where children rescued from harmful traditional practice of infanticide within the FCT currently reside.
Mamedu, who was represented by the Deputy Country Director of AAN, Hajia Suwaiba Dankabo, said: “Through the co-funding by European Union (EU) and AAN, a three-year project designed to raise awareness and mobilize action towards the abolition of infanticide in the FCT, these children were relocated here. The project established mechanisms to safeguard unborn babies and infants susceptible to being victims of infanticide, as well as those that are currently ostracized.”
He noted that: “A core component of our work involves amplifying the voices of children- particularly girls- to ensure their meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives. With the support of the European Union, we have implemented child protection programme in 57 communities across five Area Councils of the FCT, focusing on the eradication of harmful traditional practices such as infanticide.”
He added that: “We are deeply grateful for the generous funding support provided by Sony Entertainment through ActionAid Sweden. As a globally recognized organisation, Sony Entertainment understands the crucial role of investing in education and securing a brighter future for children. This invaluable support will significantly impact the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society, particularly the 74 girls from Vines Heritage Home (VHH) and the 219 children under our care.”
End
Senator Kingibe: Bill Outlawing Infanticide would be Presenting on the Floor of the Senate
Zulum Joins the Rest of Borno People to Fast and Pray for Defeat of Boko Haram, Unity
Zulum spends night in Kala Balge, observes fasting/prayer day
Red cross confirms one dead, 21 injured in Bama stampede during cash disbursement
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