News
Boko Haram: US Lied Over Claims Of ‘Child Solider’ In Civilian-JTF, Says Global Amnesty Watch
The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has exonerated the Nigerian government from the alleged use of child soldiers in the counter-insurgency war in the northeaster part of Nigeria.
GAW said the claim by the United States 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report that accused the Civilian JTF of recruiting children in the fight against Boko Haram is false.
Recall that the organisation had vowed to investigate allegations of the use of child soldiers in the counter-terrorism war in the North-Eastern part of the country, saying it categorically contravened the Child Soldier Prohibition Act 2008.
However, after rigorous investigations, the Human Rights and humanitarian organization said the report was not only misleading, but a deliberate attempt to belittle the efforts of the Nigerian military in its fight against insurgency.
Mrs Helen Adesola, the Country’s Representative of Global Amnesty Watch said the instances of underage persons or children being conscripted to fight in the crisis was limited to Boko Haram, which abducts children, brainwash them, ply them with drugs and send them out to fight.
Below is the full report of the investigation.
INTRODUCTION
The United States 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report accused the Civilian JTF of recruiting child fighters and therefore placing minors in hostile environment in contravention of the Child Soldier Prohibition Act, CSPA, 2008. The accusation was expanded to imply that the Nigerian government and military authorities were responsible for recruiting these children even when the vigilante group operates voluntarily.
A likely consequence of this is further unveiling of sanctions and measure against Nigeria that could tilt the balance in favour of terrorists as opposed to safeguarding the wellbeing of the civilian population that had been forced in the past to adopt desperate ploys to stay safe. It became pertinent that far reaching decisions are not taken on the strength of faulty report or flawed research.
The Global Amnesty Watch commissioned an investigation to establish the veracity or otherwise of the US report in line with its stated objective of monitoring and observing adherence to human rights issues in areas with ongoing conflicts. The Global Amnesty Watch has worked in Nigeria’s northeast and has teams of researchers and experts that were dispatched for the assignment.
BACKGROUND (CIVILIAN JTF)
The seven years of Boko Haram terrorists activities have greatly impacted Nigeria especially in the northeast of the country where Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi experience the brutality of insurgent. Being the birthplace of the terror group, Borno remain the epicenter that has suffered the harshest form of depravity the group’s fighters have unleashed.
Counter –insurgency efforts were largely ineffective in the period before February 2015 when the start of military operations against Boko Haram were cited as reason for postponing the General Elections by six weeks. Nigeria was faced with arms embargo at about this time which limited the ability of the military and its leadership as constituted then to effectively fight the terrorists. In the period beginning since 2009, Boko Haram freely attacked villages and communities in and around Borno often sacking entire districts, pillage and burn markets, kill residents and abduct children and women.
In 2013 youths in their thousands “armed with sticks, swords, bows, arrows, and in rare occasions Dane guns” formed vigilante groups to repel Boko Haram attacks. The lose vigilante groups came to be known as Civilian JTF (Joint Task Force).
Over the years, the Civilian JTF has contributed to the counter-insurgency war by deploying their knowledge of the terrain and familiarity with the locality to hunt down Boko Haram suspect, apprehend them and hand them over to security agencies.
The state government has streamlined the activities of the group through screening, training and absorbing some of them into state employment schemes. It must be emphasized that none of these schemes is opened to minors and in most cases those that got these assignments are above 24 years of age.
METHODOLOGY
The Global Amnesty Watch investigated the allegations of the recruitment and use of children or underage persons as fighters in by the Civilian JTF using various methodologies to ensure that all possible areas are covered.
These include:
Content analysis of records to which members of the Civilian JTF are subscribed.
Content analysis of media reports of the activities of Civilian JTF.
Review of field reports from Global Amnesty Watch researchers and experts.
Witness interviews.
FINDINGS
Content Analysis of Records:
The Borno State Government has carried out intervention programmes like empowerment schemes and training for members of the Civilian JTF. These programmes required them to register and provide personal details that include Date of Birth (DoB). These details are available in record archives of the state.
The finding from analyzing these records is that even when the 2013 formation year of Civilian JTF is factored in the DoBs on record showed that those that were captured were of age, being older than 18 years old at the time of joining the group. Other information like educational level support this fact because many of them being at holders of at least a basic diploma of having completed one form of apprenticeship or the other post-secondary school, were well past the minimum age before becoming part of the Civilian JTF.
Content Analysis of Media Reports:
A review of media report indicated that this is not the first time that the Civilian JTF has been accused of recruiting child fighters in their war against Boko Haram. A pattern was however established that showed that each time such reports are issued and Civil Society Organizations question them the authors were usually unable to defend their claims and in many instances simply disappear such that nothing is heard from their claims again. The claim that Civilian JTF are using child fighters is usually given weight by tying it to the forced recruitment of abducted children as Boko Haram fighters by the terrorists. This strategy simply globalize the forced engagement of children in the war without zeroing down on the party that is primarily responsible for the act, which makes it possible to blame the Civilian JTF for the atrocities committed by Boko Haram.
Publish photographs and videos were also reviewed, which raised the prospect that the victory gatherings that follow successful operations against Boko Haram could have been misconstrued since children would usually mix up with Civilian JTF members in the course of Civilian JTF members in the course of cheering them on the streets. No video or photographic evidence were found of minors engaging Boko Haram fighters.
Review of Field Reports:
Experts working for Global Amnesty Watch had undertaken several field investigations and reports in the number of years that the organization has been working in tracking human rights issues in the counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram in the northeast of Nigeria. The use of minors has been a red flag that our experts and researchers look out for in the course of gathering information. These reports have been reviewed to collate secondary data on the use of child soldiers. The instances of underage persons or children being conscripted to fight in the crisis was limited to Boko Haram, which abducts children, brainwash them, ply them with drugs and send them out to fight.
Witness Interviews:
The Global Amnesty Watch sent researchers to conduct interviews that span across the Civilian JTF’s chain of command – vertically and horizontally. The questionnaire included items that interrogated the age at which the witness joined the Civilian JTF, if they knew of any child that was recruited as part of their batch at the point of joining the vigilante group, whether joining the group was mandatory or voluntary, and whether members are forced to remain in the Civilian JTF against their will.
Researchers interviewed 148 respondents between the ages of 21 and 45. It was discovered that the persons of the lower age (21 –24) had wanted to join the fight against Boko Haram since the formation of the vigilante group but were constrained to wait until they are older. Those that were older then 24 years old were able to join the group right from when it was formed. From the responses, membership of Civilian JTF is not forced so those that joined are able to live at their choosing.
OBSERVATIONS
Consistent with the poverty that was blamed for fueling the insurgency, some of the persons in the Civilian JTF might have had stunted growth as children which could account for the difficulty in placing their age by mere visual appraisal.
Boko Haram was and is still solely responsible for the use of child fighters. Since neither the Civilian JTF or a larger number of Boko Haram fighters wear uniforms, the likelihood is high that children compelled to fight by the terrorists could have been counted on the side of the Civilian JTF.
There was no case of the use of child fighters established against the Civilian JTF, whose members rather fight to protect women and children from terrorists attacks.
Accusations of engaging child fighters is not new and are often repeated from time to time even when there has never been any proof to continue repeating the claim.
Its status as a loose assemblage of vigilante groups makes the Civilian JTF lack the capacity to counter the allegations of using child fighters, which raises the prospect that it is being targeted for other reasons other than stated by the organizations making the allegations.
CONCLUSION
This report found allegation that the Civilian JTF recruited children as fighters to be an outright falsehood, and lies that mark a descent to an unacceptable low for any reputable organization or entity to make.
News
Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages
Ibrahim Nassar, a Lebanese expatriate worker with Phoenix Import and Export Limited in Kwara State, has gone to the Federal High Court, Ilorin Division, seeking an order compelling the Nigerian Army to release him immediately from his four-month detention without trial.
In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, the applicant identified himself as a citizen of
Lebanon with a valid passport and a lawful resident in Nigeria with a validly issued
Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit, and that he has been living and working
with Phoenix Import and Export Limited, Kaiama in Baruten Local Government Area,
Kwara State for some time now, without any criminal record.
In the Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/87/2025 between Ibrahim Nassar (Applicant) and the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-general Obinna Onubogu; the Chief of Army Staff and; the Nigerian Army (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively), the Lebanese complained that he was unlawfully arrested on 9th May, 2025 by the officers of the 2nd respondent at the instruction or command of the 1st respondent.
According to Nassar, he was detained for many days and was released by the Department of State Security (DSS) when he was not found culpable for any criminal activities. He said he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 and has since been in detention up to now without any criminal charge against him.
Describing his arrest and detention without any justification as illegal, unwarranted, wrongful and unconstitutional, the Lebanese further told the court that he is both asthmatic and diabetic, among other serious medical conditions, and need to seek medical attention.
He alleged that while in the detention of the respondents, he was humiliated, tortured and harassed in order to self-incriminate himself, which he stood his ground against.
He further alleged that he was treated inhumanly as he was detained in a very dark and fearful confinement like a common criminal. In addition, he claimed that he was not fed well and when he ought to be fed, he was just given a very small portion of any meal available not minding the fact that he is not a Nigerian who is no exposed to any sort of foods.
The application by Ibrahim Nassar for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental
Human rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act CAP A9 LFN 2004, United Nations declaration of Human Rights, 1948,
and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, was filed by his counsel,
Prof. M.T. Adekilekun Esq, leading Shareef Mohammed Esq., Prof. A.O. Sambo, Oludare
W. Akanbi, Esq, Maryann Osuyak (Miss) and, A.S Adeyemi, Esq.
In the suit, Ibrahim Nassar is also seeking an order and declaration of the court that his continuous arrest, detention, humiliation, torture, inhuman treatment and harassment by the respondents is unlawful, illegal, ultra vires and grossly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, United Nations Declaration of Human rights, 1948.
He is also seeking an order of the court that he be paid exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) only against the respondents jointly and severally as a result of the infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and dignity of human person, harassments, intimidation, threats and public ridicule occasioned by the Respondents on the applicant.
In addition, Nassar is demanding payment of another One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) as General Damages against the respondents jointly and severally for his unlawful detention, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents by themselves, their officers, servants, agents and privies from: (i) arresting, threatening, intimidating, restraining, harassing and humiliating him or threats thereof.
In an affidavit in support of originating motion for enforcement of fundamental human
right of the applicant, one Vandi Vatiki of Czar Farms Limited, Oke oyi, Ilorin Kwara
State and Phoenix Import and Export Limited, averred that sometime on 9th May, 2025, “the officers of the Nigerian Army (the 3rd respondent) came in a gestapo manner, fully armed with weapons, and bumped into the hotel room of the applicant in Kaiama, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State and arrested him without warrant of arrest and any offence alleged against him.
“That when myself and applicant’s co-Lebanese present made enquiries as to the
offence committed by the applicant, no any reason whatsoever was given.
“That I know as a matter of fact that the applicant was first taken to Sobi Barracks
where he was detained unlawfully and after sometime was transferred to 2nd Division
of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.
“That the applicant was detained without any offence alleged against him for more than
two weeks and every attempt to get the applicant released proved abortive.
“That one of the steps taken to ensure the release of the applicant was the
engagement of Rashidi Isamotu Esq., to apply for the release of applicant who upon
being engaged wrote a letter titled: “Request for Release of Ibrahim Nassar” dated 20th
May, 2025 to the 1st respondent.
“That instead of the 1st respondent to yield to the simple request since nothing
incriminating was traced to or found with the applicant, he ordered the transfer of the
applicant to the office of Department of DSS Oyo State Command, Ibadan for profiling
and further investigation, having spent two weeks with them at Odogbo Barracks,
Ibadan’
“That the office of DSS in Ibadan, upon proper profiling and investigation of the
applicant, found him not culpable for any offence hence, found no reason why it should
keep the applicant in their custody and consequently transferred the applicant to Kwara
State Command, Ilorin, the state where the applicant was arrested.
“That on getting to Ilorin, the DSS in Ilorin too found nothing incriminating about the applicant and consequently released the applicant without any further delay or hindrance whatsoever.
“That the applicant thought the storm was over and was making attempt to settle down
and attend to his health which has deteriorated due to the unlawful detention,
humiliation and torture meted against him by the 1st respondent and other officers of
the 3rd respondent, he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 by the officers of
the 3rd respondent at the mandate and command of the 1st respondent without warrant
of arrest.
“That the applicant upon being re-arrested on 16th June, 2025 was taken straight to
Odogbo Barracks of the 2 Division of the 3rd respondent like the previous arrest and has
been unlawfully and wrongfully detained since then under the watch of the 1st
respondent who the 2nd respondent failed to check (despite having knowledge of the
unlawful arrest) without any crime alleged against or charge framed against him till
now.
“That attempt was made to secure the release of the applicant again by still engaging
the services of Rasidi Isamotu Esq to write a complaint to the Chief of Army staff, the
2nd respondent in respect of the conduct of the 1st respondent and his officers on the
unlawful detention of the applicant.
That the said Rashidi Isamotu wrote the complaint on the 19th June, 2025 and same
was received and acknowledged by the office of 2nd respondent at Army Headquarters,
FCT, Abuja on the 26th June, 2025.
“That the family and friends of the applicant are in disarray now as nothing is even
heard of the applicant again, making them to be subjected to psychological torture, to
the point that other expatriates working with our company are now living in fear and
trembling as a result of the illegal action of the respondents.
“That sequel to the above, many (if not all) of our expatriates have left the country because they feel that their lives are not safe and secured with the inhuman treated made against the applicant coupled with the unlawful arrest and detention. It could be anybody.
That the applicant has not been charged with any offence before any court of Law in
Nigeria.
“That if this Honourable Court do not intervene as a matter of urgency the life of the
applicant is under imminent threat and may lead to his death.
That unless this application is granted, the applicant will continue to suffer violation of
his fundamental rights of freedom of movement and personal liberty as well as dignity
of human person.
As of the time of this report, the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, were still to respond to a message sent over the weekend, seeking their comments on the allegations by the Lebanese.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.
In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.
Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.
“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.
He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.
“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.
Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”
The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.
He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.
End
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.
“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.
Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.
He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.
End
Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages
Gov AbdulRazaq inspects multistorey hospital in Ilorin
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