Author(s) :

SULEIMAN IBRAHIM BARDE, ONUORAH ONYEKA LEO.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Abstract Child exploitation and abuse by terrorist and violent extremist groups is a serious form of violence against children in the conflict zone of North East Nigeria, it is a pressing issue of Global concern. Studies show that thousands of individuals under the age of eighteen have been recruited and exploited by terrorist groups in the past years. Regardless of the means and methods used, this process results in exploitation with long-lasting consequences on children's well-being and society in general in the sense that they may become particularly dangerous instruments in the hands of those exploiting them and using them as instruments to commit criminal or terrorism-related offences. Over the past decade, Borno State has been the most affected area in the conflict zone, primarily due to Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. This study highlights the strategies employed by terrorist and violent extremist groups in targeting and recruiting children, systematically subjecting them to forced labour, sexual violence, and psychological trauma. The infliction of such violence on children subjects them to long-lasting physical, developmental, emotional, spiritual, and mental harm which they carry into adulthood. This study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative interviews with survivors, community leaders, and humanitarian aid workers, alongside quantitative data from government sources and NGO reports. The findings uncovered the multifaceted drivers of child exploitation in the region such as poverty, poor governance, displacement, and the breakdown of social fabrics i.e. education, healthcare, justice etc. It also evaluates the effectiveness of the existing interventions and proposes actionable recommendations for policymakers, international organizations, and local stakeholders. Finally, the study concludes with a call for an integrated, child-centred approach that addresses both immediate protection needs and the root causes of exploitation. By focusing on Borno state as a case study, this study seeks to amplify the voices of affected children and inform more effective strategies to combat child exploitation in conflict-affected regions globally. Keywords: Child Exploitation, Terrorist Recruitment, Violent Extremism, Human Rights Violations, Boko Haram

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