Cablegate: Nigeria: No Evidence of Child Soldiers

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ABUJA 002176

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB MOPS NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NO EVIDENCE OF CHILD SOLDIERS

REF: STATE 149572

Mission responses to the questions raised reftel are as
follows:

PLEASE VERIFY THE AGES FOR VOLUNTARY RECRUITMENT AND
CONSCRIPTION INTO MILITARY SERVICE:
Age of 18 or older. Nigeria does not conscipt.

HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT VERIFY THE AGES OF RECRUITS?
Local identification records and identity cards.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CREDIBLE REPORTS THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE
AGES OF 18 ARE IN THE MILITARY?
No. The Nigerian military is a volunteer force and has no
recruitment problems which would lead to a need for
child-soldiers.

IF CHILDREN UNDER 18 ARE PERMITTED TO VOLUNTEER FOR MILITARY
SERVICE, ARE THESE RECRUITS REQUIRED TO SERVE IN COMBAT
ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE AGE OF 18?
Children under 18 years of age are not permitted to volunteer
for military service.
Jeter

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