Army hand over 83 children to Borno government for rehabilitation

The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Abba Dikko, has handed over 23 children to Borno State government for medical and psycho-social support at a rehabilitation centre.

The children, including an 18-year-old pregnant woman, are victims of armed conflict in insurgency-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

One 183 children were also handed to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State for rehabilitation and reintegration, before sending them to schools.

Presenting the victims to the governor on, yesterday, in Maiduguri at the Maimalari Cantonment, Dikko said Army’s structured and coordinated interventions enable the troops rescue 23 children from Boko Haram insurgents, before handing them to state government for rehabilitation and integration into society.

According to him, the children are to undergo 12-week rehabilitation in Bulumkutu, before reuniting them with their parents and guardians.

Shettima, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Yahaya Dankoli, said the children are to be rehabilitated and trained to become productive future leaders.

On rehabilitated rescued children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief Field Officer, Geoffrey Ijumba said the agency will continue to partner with the Ministry of Women Affairs to provide victims with medical and psycho-social services before reuniting them with families.