The Borno State government is raising concerns about a troubling issue affecting women and girls who were once held captive by Boko Haram. Many of these individuals, now freed, are reportedly turning to prostitution as they struggle to survive.

Lawan Wakilbe, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, spoke about this during a meeting with Hamsatu Allamin, the CEO of the Allamin Foundation for Peace, in Maiduguri. According to Wakilbe, some former captives were sexually exploited during their time in captivity, leaving them vulnerable and without support when released.

He noted that this issue is especially serious in areas such as Bama, Banki, and Gwoza. One particularly heartbreaking case involved an 11-year-old girl caring for three younger children. In another instance, young girls aged 13 to 15, some with multiple children, were repatriated from Cameroon.

Wakilbe emphasized the urgent need for reintegration programs to provide these women and girls with a safe path to recovery. He pointed out that poverty and a lack of opportunities are driving many of them to prostitution as a last resort.

This crisis is part of the larger humanitarian challenges in Borno State, where communities are still grappling with the effects of Boko Haram’s insurgency. Since 2009, over 50,000 lives have been lost, and more than two million people have been displaced. The infamous abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014 further highlights the lasting impact of this crisis.

The government and humanitarian organizations must work together to ensure that former captives receive the care, support, and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives and escape the cycle of poverty and exploitation.