NGOs In Cameroon Urge Swift Anti-Boko Haram Campaign To Prevent Recruitment Of Children Into Terror Organizations

Non-governmental organizations and Human rights groups have expressed fear of an increased number of children put out of school in Cameroon because of criminal gangs and extremist groups like the Boko Haram. The children are now at risk of recruitment into violent groups like Boko Haram who advocate against western education.
This includes 23 000 school-aged children who are now out of school because of the escalating attacks on education infrastructure by the Boko Haram, the Nigerian-based sect opposed to Western education.
Additionally, teachers fleeing Boko Haram-affected areas have not returned and numerous schools have been burnt down, bombed, heavily damaged, and in some instances, used as counter-offensive bases.
The NGOs have called for swift action and eradication of the Boko Haram to ensure that children are able to get back to school, get a formal education and as such reduce the risk of being recruited into joining violent gangs and terror organizations.