17.12.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report documenting how violence in Nigeria’s southern Delta State this year, especially during the state and federal elections in April and May, resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands of people ("The Warri Crisis: Fueling Violence") [#18263],  [ID 15244]

Document(s): Open document

02.12.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report focused on political violence, arrests and harassment of political opponents, human rights activists and journalists ("Renewed Crackdown on Freedom of Expression") [#17928],  [ID 15245]

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

No conscription but civilian service for university graduates ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 15239]

"5.34 There is no conscription in Nigeria, but university graduates are required to do civilian service for one year. This does not involve military training, and relates to civilian community project work, outside of a person's home state. It is not known if there is any punishment for failure to perform this."

Document(s): Open document

28.11.2002 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Country report on Nigeria: Political situation, police and judicial system, Decree 33, vigilante groups, ethnic and communal conflict, role of traditional religion, secret societies and cults, situation of women ("8th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Vienna, 28 - 29 June 2002: Final Report - Nigeria") [#9874],  [ID 15246]

Document(s): Ngr-cois-2002-rep.pdf

14.11.2002 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

80 ex-soldiers who fought against the federal government during the 1967-70 Biafra War pardoned by the president and restored to their military ranks ("Nigeria: Obasanjo pardons former secessionist soldiers") [#9533],  [ID 15240]

Document(s): Open document

14.10.2002 - Source: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minbuza: Military service and desertion ("Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken: Algemeen Ambtsbericht Nigeria / september 2002") [#9305],  [ID 15243]

"Dienstplicht en desertie
Nigeria kent een beroepsleger en er bestaat derhalve geen dienstplicht. Toetreding tot het leger gebeurt slechts op vrijwillige basis. Uittreding uit het leger wordt in beginsel niet belemmerd, maar in de praktijk bestaan er wel obstakels (zoals de intrekking van pensioenrechten)51. Desertie valt onder het militaire recht en kan in oorlogstijd worden bestraft met de doodstraf. Niet bekend is of deze ooit is uitgesproken dan wel ten uitvoer gelegd. Voor de goede orde: de autoriteiten beschouwen de in dit ambtsbericht beschreven etnische, religieuze en politieke onlusten niet als ‘oorlogstijd’. Er zijn geen gevallen bekend van discriminatoire dan wel disproportionele bestraffing van desertie op grond van ras, religie, politieke overtuiging, nationaliteit of het behoren tot een bijzondere sociale groep."

Document(s): Open document
minbuza-ngr-0902.pdf

05.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Operational Guidance Note ("Operational Guidance Note") [#8633],  [ID 15247]

Document(s): Open document

2001 - Source: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice [ID 15241]

"National Recruitment Legislation and Practice: Article 24 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria states that all citizens have a duty to "help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required". However there is currently no conscription in Nigeria. According to Decree No. 51 of the 1993 National Youth Service Corps Decree, enlistment into the armed forces is voluntary and the minimum age is 18. University graduates are required to perform 12-months of civilian service."

Document(s): Open document

2001 - Source: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers

Child Soldiers in Nigerian armed forces [ID 15242]

"There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces. In 1999 and 2000 armed Ijaw youths thought to be age 16 and over took part in opposition to the government's oil policy in the Niger Delta. There is no information available regarding the participation of children in other ethnic militias.
[...]
In 1995 the Nigerian government reported to the Committee on the Rights of the Child that "Children do not take part directly in hostilities, nor is anybody under 15 years of age recruited into the armed forces. In times of conflict, the protection of the child is paramount...".[6] There is no evidence of minors currently enlisted in the Nigerian armed forces.
It is not known how many children are among the Niger Delta Volunteer Force. However ‘youth groups’ are well known to have played a major role in the Delta region. In April 1997 youths were reported as the driving force in clashes in Warri.[13] In December 1998 many young [Ijaws] joined in the mass protest against government oil policy in the Niger delta. In August, bands of armed Ijaw youths captured a number of oil producing platforms and flow-stations, and took several oil workers hostage. The US Department of State reported that confrontations between increasingly militant youths – described typically as unemployed males between the ages of 16 and 40 – oil companies and government authorities continued in 1999 and 2000. At least 28 Delta youths were killed in such clashes or suspected vandalization near oil flow stations in 2000."

Document(s): Open document