Borno State Government Raises Alarm Over Rising Prostitution Among Former Boko Haram Captives
The Borno State Government has expressed deep concern over the increasing prevalence of prostitution among former Boko Haram captives. According to the State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, poverty and lack of reintegration support are major contributing factors to this alarming trend.
Wakilbe raised the alarm during a courtesy visit by Hamsatu Allamin, the CEO of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, on Friday in Maiduguri. He revealed that many victims, particularly young girls, were subjected to sexual exploitation during captivity and remain vulnerable after their release.
The commissioner disclosed that prostitution is most prevalent in local government areas such as Bama, Banki, and Gwoza. He shared a poignant encounter, recounting meeting an 11-year-old girl caring for three children, a situation he described as “heartbreaking.”
Wakilbe also noted that Cameroonian authorities had recently repatriated girls aged between 13 and 15, many of whom had children of their own. This highlights the dire need for comprehensive reintegration programs to help these victims rebuild their lives and prevent further exploitation.
“This is a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by poverty and the absence of viable survival alternatives,” Wakilbe said. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has devastated Nigeria’s northeastern region, claiming over 50,000 lives and displacing more than two million people.
The abduction of 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014 remains a stark reminder of the crisis. Though some of the girls have been freed, many remain unaccounted for.
Experts have called for strengthened collaboration between government agencies, international organizations, and non-profits to address the reintegration and rehabilitation needs of victims, ensuring they do not fall prey to further abuse.
To address this issue, Wakilbe emphasized the need for urgent intervention to empower freed Boko Haram captives, enhancing their economic and social protection. He also called for the establishment of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in border communities.
The Borno State Government has committed to partnering with development organizations and agencies to address the problems affecting victims of the conflict. With the support of organizations like the Allamin Foundation for Peace, there is hope for a brighter future for these vulnerable individuals.
