Boko Haram militants are known in Nigeria for using children as suicide bombers to carry out acts of terrorism. This tactic has human rights activists concerned that the terrorist group may be using the schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok last year as suicide bombers.
Christian Today reports the 219 girls that are still missing are believed to be hidden in Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa Forest. Nigerian authorities have recently freed hundreds of Boko Haram captives from the area, but the girls remain in captivity.
Authorities have documented numerous Boko Haram attacks that involved the use of child suicide bombers. Most recently, a girl who appeared to be about 12 detonated bombs that were strapped to her body at a bus station in Damaturu. Seven people were killed and 31 were injured.
Yusuf Mohammed, a relief worker in Maiduguri, said that terrorists target young girls because they are easily brainwashed.
"Militants feel it is easier to intimidate and brainwash young girls than adult women. Besides, these girls come cheap, and most of them are extremely loyal,” he said.
Publication date: May 26, 2015