Women affairs ministry condemns child abuse, online circulation of videos

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 the reported technology-facilitated abuse of children in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The ministry, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, said it received the reports with “grave concern,” stressing that parental authority must never be used to violate the dignity, bodily integrity and fundamental rights of children.

It condemned all forms of violence, torture, cruelty, humiliation and abuse against children, saying every child has a right to safety and protection regardless of the circumstances in which abuse occurs.

The ministry commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for their prompt intervention in the Aba case, including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and the placement of the child under protective care.

It said the coordinated response demonstrated the shared responsibility of government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the safety and best interests of children remained paramount.

The ministry also expressed concern over reports of a mother allegedly abusing her daughters in Onitsha, with material purportedly showing the abuse being recorded and circulated online.

It warned that abuse does not become less serious because it is recorded or shared on digital platforms, noting that uploading or circulating such material could further violate the children’s privacy and dignity while exposing them to additional humiliation and trauma.

The ministry commended the Anambra state Police Command, Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and other stakeholders for their swift intervention, including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and placement of the children in safe care.

It urged members of the public not to download, repost, forward or circulate videos and images depicting abused children.

According to the ministry, anyone who encounters such material should preserve relevant information securely, avoid sharing it and report it immediately to law enforcement, child-protection or social-welfare authorities.

“Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not,” the ministry said, stressing that competent authorities should be allowed to investigate the cases, secure victims, provide medical and psychosocial support, preserve evidence and pursue justice where wrongdoing is established.

The ministry said the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 provide legal frameworks for protecting children against abuse, exploitation, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and other forms of violence.

It stressed that the laws recognise children as rights-holders and place responsibility for their protection on families, communities, government institutions and other stakeholders.

The ministry further called on parents, caregivers, schools, religious and traditional institutions, media organisations and technology platforms to strengthen efforts to protect children both offline and online.

It said the government would continue to collaborate with state ministries, law-enforcement agencies, the judiciary, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, FIDA, civil society organisations and development partners to strengthen prevention, reporting, referral, survivor support and accountability.

The ministry also said it would promote stronger safeguards for women and children in digital spaces.

It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence through appropriate authorities, while respecting the privacy and dignity of survivors.

The ministry said coordinated action by government institutions, communities and citizens would be necessary to ensure proper prosecution and timely judgments in the cases and help build a society free from violence, exploitation and humiliation, both offline and online.