The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), said yesterday that the Boko Haram insurgents have displaced about 1, 650,000 Nigerians.
He said he issued advisory to Boko Haram and those involved in the conflict, on the legal consequences of the unlawful use of children in armed conflict.
Adoke said the Federal Government would hold accountable, those found culpable “for this crime and other crimes, such as abduction, rape, maiming, forced displacements and sexual slavery.”
He said the elections were shifted to provide security and avoid disenfranchising 24million Nigerians.
Adoke, who spoke at the 28th Session of the United Nations Council on Human Rights in Geneva, said the government was disturbed about the increasing use of child-soldiers and under-aged female suicide bombers.
The text of the AGF’s address was made available to reporters in Abuja by his office.
He said: “Nigeria’s experience in combating terrorism and insurgency perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in the Northeast and our common borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon demonstrates the relevance and potency of international cooperation and solidarity in tackling this scourge.
“Since the insurgency began, close to 650,000 Nigerians have been internally displaced in the Northeast; and another one million as refugees in neighbouring countries, such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger. This situation has posed grave humanitarian situation in the affected areas, including the neighbouring countries.
“We note with satisfaction, the recent successes achieved by security forces and the increased level of cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels to raise a multi-national force of 8,700 involving Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin by the African Union, with support from our global partners.
“My delegation believes that this initiative offers valuable lessons for the global community. In this regard, I cannot overemphasise the need for increased financial and material support for the multi-national force as well as the internally-displaced persons and refugees.”
Adoke said the Federal Government was worried about the increasing use of child-soldiers and under-aged female suicide bombers.
He added: “Mr. President, another disturbing trend in the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group is the increasing use of child-soldiers and under-aged female suicide bombers in the perpetration of crimes against the civilian population.
“Boko Haram has killed Christians and Muslims; bombed churches and mosques and have detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on soft targets in civilian populated areas.
The Minister said an advisory had been issued to Boko Haram to stop unlawful use of children for insurgency.
“On 21 January 2015, I issued an Advisory to the Boko Haram terrorist group and all those involved in the conflict on the legal consequences of the unlawful use of children in armed conflict and Government’s determination to hold accountable, all those found culpable for this crime and other crimes such as abduction, rape, maiming, forced displacements and sexual slavery.
“This is consistent with our treaty obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional Protocols,” he said.
The AGF restated the nation’s commitment to human rights-based governance.
He said: “At domestic level, the Federal Government continues to pursue human rights based model of governance that emphasizes respect for the Rule of Law and the dignity of all residents of Nigeria.
“Consistent with this approach, we are vigorously pursuing strengthening of the capacity of relevant Human Rights Institutions in the country. In addition, we are promoting increased collaboration with Civil Society Organizations in various facets of the polity.”
Adoke also took time to explain that the general election was postponed till March 28 to provide adequate security and in order not to disenfranchise 24million Nigerians.
He added: “Let me assure this Council that as Nigeria prepares for the General Elections scheduled to commence on 28th March 2015, we are convinced that entrenching democratic governance in Nigeria remains the best guarantee for peace and stability in our region and beyond.
“The Electoral Body rescheduled the election dates to enable adequate security to be provided and ensure that about 24 million potential voters who had not received their permanent voters’ cards were not disenfranchised.”
