PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT-AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

Globally and at domestic level,government in every society is constituted to perform vital roles and functions capable of improving the welfare of the people.One of such important duties of the state is to formulate policies that will ensure good governance, peace,safety and security of life and properties in all nooks and crannies of the community. The government has the additional duty of enacting laws, legislations as well as statutes that provides basis for maintenance of law and order and by extension offer protection to all categories of persons within the territorial area of such a society.Included in the persons protected or expected to be protected by government and the laws are the children and the protection is not only during the era or time of peace but also in times of war, hostility and armed conflict. This article will review therefore the protection given to children by states and laws as well as instruments or conventions during armed conflict with specific consideration and appraisal of the Nigeria state so as to find out if there is a legal frame work in the country for protection of the child in armed conflict, if there is,what is the procedure and extent,who are the stakeholders and what the expectations of the child; if there is, are the provisions adequate in the light of the prevailing realities and security challenges in Nigeria and if not, what is the way forward towards redefining the subject of protecting the child in armed conflict in Nigeria.