Growing insecurity across northern Nigeria is putting thousands of girls at risk of abuse, exploitation, and early marriage, a non-governmental organization (NGO) has warned.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The NGO, during a press briefing in Kano on Friday, said armed conflict, kidnapping, and bandit attacks have forced many families from their homes, leaving girls exposed to physical and sexual abuse in displacement camps and unsafe communities.

“At this rate, young girls are losing their childhoods. Insecurity is making them vulnerable to violence and early marriage,” the NGO’s spokesperson said.

Insecurity and Its Toll

Northern Nigeria continues to experience widespread insecurity, with banditry and insurgency displacing thousands of people in states such as Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna. Many of those affected live in camps or informal settlements lacking adequate security and essential services.

Experts say girls in these areas face higher risks of sexual violence, forced marriage, and early pregnancy. Many have been forced to abandon school due to fear of attacks or lack of access to education.

“Parents, in most cases, marry off their daughters early because they believe it will protect them from abuse or hunger,” the NGO’s report stated. “Unfortunately, these marriages often lead to more suffering and lifelong trauma.”

Early Marriage as a Coping Mechanism

With rising poverty and limited resources, families in conflict-affected regions are increasingly turning to early marriage as a means of survival. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the northern region accounts for some of the highest child marriage rates in the country, with over 60 percent of girls marrying before the age of 18.

“Girls who marry early are more likely to face domestic violence, health complications from childbirth, and limited access to education,” the NGO warned. “It’s a violation of their rights that must stop.”

A 2024 study on women and girls in conflict zones found that many were pressured into marriage, sometimes to insurgents or older men, as a condition for safety or food support.

Voices from the Camps

In internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, several girls shared experiences of harassment and exploitation. One teenage girl, who fled an attack in Zamfara, said she was forced to marry at 15 after her father was killed by bandits.

“I didn’t want to marry, but my family said it was the only way to survive,” she said. “Now I live with a man I barely know, and I’m not allowed to go to school.”

Human rights groups say such stories are becoming common in conflict areas, calling for urgent government intervention.

NGO Calls for Urgent Action

The organization urged both federal and state governments to strengthen security around rural communities and displacement camps. It also called for the enforcement of child protection laws, the creation of safe spaces for girls, and better access to education.

“There must be stronger political will to protect vulnerable girls,” the spokesperson said. “Security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders must work together to end early marriage and gender-based violence.”

The NGO also appealed for more funding and international support for programs addressing education, trauma care, and empowerment for displaced girls.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

Northern Nigeria remains one of the regions with the highest number of out-of-school children, many of them girls. Analysts warn that without urgent intervention, insecurity and poverty could erase years of progress in girl-child education and women’s rights.

“These girls deserve a chance to live freely and achieve their dreams,” the NGO concluded. “Protecting them is not just charity — it’s a responsibility.”