By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has condemned the alleged brutal abuse of a 12-year-old boy, Master Ugonna Uzoma, in Aba, Abia State, as well as reported technology-facilitated abuse involving children in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The Ministry, in a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations Department, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, expressed grave concern over the reported incidents, stressing that parental authority must never be used to violate a child’s dignity, bodily integrity or fundamental rights.
According to the Ministry, the 12-year-old boy was allegedly subjected to severe abuse by his father, resulting in serious injuries.
It commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for their prompt intervention, including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and the placement of the child under protective care.
The Ministry said the coordinated response by the authorities underscored the shared responsibility of government institutions and citizens to ensure that the safety and best interests of every child remain paramount.
It also raised concern over a separate reported case of technology-facilitated abuse in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving material allegedly showing a mother abusing her daughters.
The Ministry warned that abuse does not become less serious because it is recorded or shared online, stressing that recording, uploading or circulating such material further violates children’s privacy and dignity while exposing victims to additional humiliation and trauma.
It commended the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other state and non-state actors for their swift intervention, including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and placement of the children in safe care.
The Ministry noted that the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, provide a clear legal framework for protecting children from abuse, exploitation, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and other forms of violence.
It stressed that the laws recognise every child as a rights-holder and make child protection a shared responsibility.
The Ministry therefore urged Nigerians not to download, repost, forward or circulate videos and images depicting abused children.
It warned that further dissemination could constitute an additional violation of the victims’ rights and deepen their trauma.
“Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not,” the Ministry stated, urging anyone who encounters such material to preserve relevant information securely, avoid sharing it and report it immediately to law-enforcement, child-protection or social-welfare authorities.
It added that competent authorities must be allowed to investigate allegations, secure victims, provide medical and psychosocial support, preserve evidence and pursue justice where wrongdoing is established.
The Ministry said its position was in line with the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of women and children, as well as maintaining zero tolerance for gender-based violence in all its forms.
It noted that such violence includes online exploitation, digital harassment, cyber-enabled abuse and the misuse of digital platforms to expose or humiliate victims.
The Ministry appreciated members of the public whose vigilance helped bring the cases to the attention of relevant authorities and encouraged citizens to continue reporting suspected child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
It urged members of the public to use appropriate channels, including the Nigeria Police Force, State Ministries responsible for Women Affairs and Social Development, NAPTIP, FIDA and other authorised child-protection and justice institutions, while respecting the privacy and dignity of survivors.
The Federal Ministry further pledged to strengthen collaboration with state ministries, law-enforcement agencies, the judiciary, NAPTIP, FIDA, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to improve prevention, reporting, referral, survivor support and accountability.
It said efforts would also be intensified to promote stronger safeguards for women and children in digital spaces.
The Ministry called on parents, caregivers, communities, schools, religious and traditional institutions, media organisations and technology platforms to play their respective roles in protecting children.
It stressed that every credible report of abuse deserves an appropriate response and that awareness campaigns must not expose victims to further humiliation.
“Violence must never be normalised because it occurs within the family, is disguised as discipline or is amplified online,” the Ministry said, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly and refuse to share material capable of further traumatising victims.
It further assured that, through coordinated action by government institutions, communities and citizens, efforts would be made to ensure proper prosecution and timely judgments in the cases, describing this as necessary to serve as a deterrent and build a society free from violence, exploitation and humiliation, both offline and online.
