According to Human Rights Watch, Nigeria, “in its efforts to defeat Boko Haram, [has been] arresting and detaining those suspected of involvement with the armed group – including thousands of children.”

Human Rights Watch says that when its “children’s rights advocacy director, Jo Becker, spoke with these kids it became clear that many were actually victims of Boko Haram.”

In an interview, “Becker speaks… about how these children ended up in military prison for months or even years, and how the prison conditions they endured are the worst she’s seen in 20 years at Human Rights Watch.”

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The detention of these child victims of Boko Haram by Nigerian authorities is deplorable. It is unbecoming of a country that claims to be Africa’s biggest democracy to indulge in such practices. Nigeria must look into the matter and ensure the rights of these children are respected.