- FG to Prosecute Offenders After Viral Video of Children Flogged in Rivers
- Ibrahim described the incident as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act”
- The rescued children are now in protective custody
The Tinubu led administration has condemned the abuse of children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following a viral video showing minors being flogged under the guise of a spiritual cleansing exercise.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Jonathan Eze, Minister Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim described the incident as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
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She stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate any form of child abuse, warning that any individual or group found guilty, including parents, guardians, or community leaders, would face prosecution under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
The Minister commended the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Rivers State Command, for its swift response, and praised the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Bello, for promptly deploying her team to rescue and safeguard the children.
She further acknowledged the courage of citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, noting that their actions reflect the government’s “See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something” campaign.
She, however, urged the public to always channel such reports to the Police, NAPTIP, or other relevant agencies to ensure quick intervention and protect victims’ privacy.
According to the statement, the rescued children are now in protective custody and are receiving medical and psychosocial support in line with the Child Rights Act, which has been domesticated across all 36 states of the federation.
Reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Sulaiman Ibrahim declared: “We will not rest until Nigeria becomes a safe place for every child to grow, dream, and thrive. The future of our nation depends on how we protect its children.”
