Jan. 27, 2024

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Lagbaja has co-convened the review and endorsement meeting of the Handover Protocol Implementation Plan with UNICEF, for Children Encountered in the course of Armed Conflict in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region.

In a statement by the army, the National Security Adviser who was represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yaminu Ehinomen Musa (Rtd) in his opening remarks stated that the agreement to develop a Handover Protocol of Children Encountered during conflict was signed between the government of Nigeria, United Nations and UNICEF on 30 Sep 22.

He stated further that under this agreement, the signatories are to develop an operation plan to guide the implementation Protocol which will enable quick identification and transfer of the children allegedly associated with armed group to ministry of women affairs within the period of 7 days.

The COAS who was represented by the Chief of Civil-military Affairs, Maj Gen Nosakhare Ugbo stated that Nigeria is now among the few countries across the world with significant achievement of having a Handover Protocol in place to enhance the protection of children affected by armed conflict, most especially those children allegedly associated with armed groups.

He stressed that Handover Protocol offers children a safe avenue to leave armed groups and to receive the necessary support. He also used the occasion to assure the UNICEF of the NA’s commitment to the protocol as well as the code of conduct and rules of engagement, which are consistent with the provisions of relevant international laws.

The highlight of the event was the signing of the Handover Protocol Implementation by the Nigerian Army, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), representative of the National Security Adviser, Ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Federal ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include; the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, UNICEF Representative, Mrs Cristian Munduate, Charge d Affairs ad Interim of the United States, Mr David Greene, Ambassador of Norway, Mr Svein Baera, UNICEF Chief Child Protection, Mr Ibrahim Sasay and representatives from the Theatre Command Op HADIN KAI.