Nigeria Police Completes Specialized Training on Preventing Child Recruitment in Armed Conflicts

Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

The Nigeria Police Force has concluded a week-long Pre-Deployment Training program aimed at preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts, held at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The program, inaugurated by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, through AIG Aminu Baba Raji, AIG Training and Development, equipped officers with specialized skills in child-sensitive policing during internal security operations.

Delivered in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, the training featured international facilitators alongside certified Nigerian Police Trainers-of-Trainers. Participants were instructed on identifying and preventing the recruitment of children by armed groups, emphasizing that children involved in conflicts are primarily victims entitled to confidentiality, empathy, and protection.

In his address, IGP Egbetokun highlighted the vulnerability of children in conflict zones, stressing that their recruitment as fighters, spies, or in other roles represents a serious violation of rights and poses a threat to national security. He underlined the necessity for officers deployed to conflict-affected areas to respond with professionalism, sensitivity, and gender-responsive approaches when encountering children associated with armed groups.

The training strengthened existing child-protection initiatives, including the Safer Schools Programme and the Police Operations for Child Protection in Conflict and Violence (POCACOV). By the end of the program, 25 officers were certified as ready for deployment to conflict-affected regions, equipped to handle child protection challenges with enhanced skills and awareness.

IGP Egbetokun commended the organizers for their support, reiterating the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding human rights and enhancing child protection capacity through continuous training, strategic partnerships, and professional development programs.

The initiative reflects the force’s proactive approach in ensuring that children affected by violence and conflict are safeguarded and that officers maintain international standards of conduct in operations involving vulnerable populations.

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