By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government has issued a strong condemnation of the inhumane and dehumanizing treatment meted out to innocent children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in what was allegedly carried out under the guise of a “spiritual cleansing” exercise.
In an official statement released in Abuja on Friday and signed by the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister described the incident as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
She stressed that the Tinubu-led administration would not tolerate any form of abuse, particularly those targeting vulnerable children, and warned that all individuals involved in the despicable act would face the full weight of the law. “Whether by strangers, community leaders, or parents, any individual or group found culpable of such heinous acts will be held accountable under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. This includes any parent or guardian who aided or condoned the abuse,” she said.
The Minister commended the Nigeria Police Force, especially the Rivers State Command, for their swift and professional intervention. She also applauded the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Bello, and her team for their prompt deployment which led to the rescue and protection of the affected children.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim further appreciated the vigilance of concerned citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, noting that their actions exemplified the spirit of the “See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something” campaign. She, however, appealed to members of the public to always channel such reports directly to the Nigerian Police, NAPTIP or other relevant law enforcement bodies to ensure timely response without compromising investigations or the safety of the victims.
According to the statement, the rescued children are currently in protective custody and are receiving comprehensive care and support in line with the provisions of the Child Rights Act, which has been domesticated across all 36 States of the Federation.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister declared that every Nigerian child must be protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation. “We will not rest until Nigeria becomes a safe place for every child to grow, dream, and thrive. The soul of our nation depends on how we protect its future, our children,” she concluded.
