UN: 1,364 Children Recruited by Terrorists, Over 14,000 Schools Shut in W/Africa

The United Nations has raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian toll of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, revealing that at least 1,364 children were recruited by armed groups in 2024, while insecurity forced the closure of more than 14,000 schools.

The disclosure was made in Abuja on Wednesday by UN Under Secretary-General and Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simão, at the Regional Conference on Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region.

Simão described the figures as a grim reflection of “stolen futures, fractured communities, and deepening fragility,” warning that extremist groups were increasingly exploiting ungoverned spaces, local grievances, and new technologies—including drones, encrypted communication, and cyber tools—to strengthen their operations and expand influence.

“Across six countries in the region last year, 1,364 children were conscripted into armed groups, 466 cases of sexual violence were documented, and 14,364 schools were shut down due to insecurity. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent broken lives and deepening fragility,” he said.

According to him, five of the world’s 10 countries most affected by terrorism are in West Africa and the Sahel, with attacks growing more deadly and sophisticated. He noted that violence is spreading into sensitive border areas such as Tambacounda—linking Mali, Senegal, Guinea, and Mauritania—and even protected reserves straddling Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, threatening eco-tourism, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

The UN envoy further highlighted how climate change and political rifts among neighbouring states are fuelling extremist recruitment. He warned that while the Central Sahel is projected to spend $3.2bn on defence in 2025, vital funds are being diverted from education, healthcare, and climate adaptation.

Simão urged a more holistic strategy that goes beyond military operations to include political dialogue, investment in social services, and greater focus on women and young people. He also stressed the need to curb transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, illegal mining, and arms smuggling, which continue to bankroll terrorist groups.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, echoed these concerns, stressing that fragmented national responses are inadequate against a transnational threat that grows more sophisticated each year.

“Terrorism spreads wherever it finds weaknesses in our shared defences. Security in one country is inseparable from the security of its neighbours,” Badaru said, calling for stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated joint operations, and the speedy activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force.

He also urged member states to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for early-warning systems, while ensuring human rights and civil liberties are protected.