NIGERIA: NO EVIDENCE OF CHILD SOLDIERS

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