The Federal Government, FG, has condemned the alleged abuse of children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the pretense of a spiritual ritual.
The government vowed to prosecute anyone involved in the act, including parents who may have been complicit.
In a press release issued on Saturday, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, denounced the abuse as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
She emphasised that the President Bola Tinubu administration has a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse and will ensure that perpetrators face justice under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
This includes holding accountable any individuals or groups, whether they are community leaders or parents, who are found responsible for such acts.
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The Minister praised the Nigeria Police Force and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for their quick response in rescuing the affected children.
She also acknowledged the bravery of citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, calling it a prime example of the “See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something” campaign.
However, she urged the public to report such incidents directly to law enforcement agencies like the police or NAPTIP to ensure prompt and secure interventions while protecting the victims’ privacy.
She confirmed that the rescued children are now in protective custody, receiving medical and psychological care as mandated by the Child Rights Act, which is in force across all 36 states of Nigeria.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a safe environment for all children, stating that the nation’s future depends on the protection of its youth.
