The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed on Friday that more than 6,800 children in Nigeria’s northeast have experienced serious human rights abuses.

This revelation was made in a press statement available on the website of the organisation.

According to the statement, the most prevalent violations since 2014 have been the recruitment or use of children by armed groups, with 700 verified cases, followed by kidnappings of children, with 693 incidents, and killing and maiming, with 675 incidents.

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, emphasised the sad realities of the battle and its worrying effects on education. She also said that the latest kidnapping of 80 kids in Zamfara State pointed to the importance of taking action to safeguard kids in Nigeria.

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“The statistics are disturbing; the reality is devastating. It has been 9 years since the horrendous abduction of the Chibok girls, yet the nightmare continues as children are still being kidnapped, forcibly recruited, killed and injured – their futures torn away,” she said.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of Nigeria’s children. We must do everything in our power to ensure they grow up in safety, with access to education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

UNICEF also called on all parties to the conflict to respect international human rights laws and protect the rights and well-being of children.