Child Soldiers of Boko Haram: Why (and How) Children Join Armed Groups in Northeastern Nigeria.

The article focuses on the recruitment and reintegration of child soldiers by Boko Haram and the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) in Northeastern Nigeria. Drawing on qualitative interviews with former child soldiers and key stakeholders, it applies the Three P's theory—Push (structural conditions like poverty and insecurity), Pull (armed groups' mobilization strategies including religious indoctrination and monetary incentives), and Personal (individual motives such as revenge or protection)—to explain why children are recruited. The study highlights the strategic use of children by armed groups due to their vulnerability and ease of manipulation, and it identifies significant challenges in the disengagement, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs, including lack of child-specific initiatives, insufficient post-rehabilitation support, and community stigmatization. It recommends tailored reintegration strategies and stronger community acceptance to prevent recidivism and support sustainable peacebuilding.