Women Affairs Ministry Says Parental Authority Must Never Be Used to Violate Children’s Rights, Dignity

By Chioma Vivian James

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has condemned the alleged brutal abuse of children in Aba, Abia State, and Onitsha, Anambra State, warning Nigerians against normalising violence against children or circulating images and videos depicting their abuse.

The Ministry, in a statement issued in Abuja on September 13, 2026, expressed grave concern over reports surrounding the alleged abuse of a 12-year-old boy, Master Ugonna Uzoma, in Aba, reportedly resulting in serious injuries allegedly inflicted by his father.

It unequivocally condemned all forms of violence, torture, cruelty, humiliation and abuse against children, stressing that parental authority must never be used as a justification to violate a child’s dignity, bodily integrity or fundamental rights.

According to the Ministry, the safety and best interests of every child must remain paramount, regardless of whether the alleged abuse occurs within the family or elsewhere.

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 institutions and stakeholders in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that suspected cases of abuse receive immediate attention.

The Ministry also expressed concern over a separate case of alleged technology-facilitated abuse in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving material reportedly showing a mother abusing her daughters.

It stressed that child abuse does not become less serious simply because it is recorded or shared online.

Rather, the Ministry warned that recording, uploading or circulating such material could compound the harm suffered by victims, violate their privacy and dignity, and expose them to further humiliation and psychological 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 the placement of the children in safe care.

The Ministry said the incidents further underscored the urgent need for coordinated intervention whenever children are exposed to violence, exploitation or other forms of abuse.

It noted that the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, provide legal frameworks for protecting children from abuse, exploitation, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and other forms of violence.

The Ministry emphasised that the laws recognise every child as a rights-holder and place a shared responsibility on government, families, communities and institutions to protect children.

‘Do Not Make Abuse Videos Viral’

The Ministry particularly appealed to members of the public not to download, repost, forward or circulate videos or images depicting abused children.

It warned that further dissemination could constitute an additional violation of the victims’ rights and deepen the trauma associated with the abuse.

“Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not,” the Ministry stated.

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

According to the Ministry, competent authorities should be given the opportunity to investigate allegations, secure victims, provide medical and psychosocial support, preserve relevant evidence and pursue justice where wrongdoing is established.

The Ministry linked its position to the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of women and children and maintaining zero tolerance for gender-based violence in all its forms.

It said such commitment extends to emerging forms of abuse involving digital platforms, including online exploitation, digital harassment, cyber-enabled abuse and the misuse of technology to expose or humiliate victims.

Public Vigilance Urged

The Ministry also appreciated members of the public whose vigilance helped bring the reported cases to the attention of the authorities.

It urged Nigerians to continue reporting suspected child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence and technology-facilitated gender-based violence through 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.

It, however, stressed that reports must be made promptly while respecting the privacy and dignity of survivors.

The Federal Ministry said it would continue 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 systems, survivor support and accountability.

It also pledged 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 preventing and responding to child abuse.

It stressed that every credible report of abuse deserves an appropriate response and that awareness campaigns must be designed to protect victims rather than expose them to further humiliation.

The Ministry maintained that Nigeria’s children must be protected under the law, stressing that their safety and wellbeing remain national priorities.

It warned against normalising violence because it occurs within the family, is presented as discipline or is amplified through digital platforms.

The Ministry further pledged that, through coordinated action by government, institutions, communities and citizens, it would support proper prosecution and timely adjudication of cases where wrongdoing is established, as part of efforts to build a society free from violence, exploitation and humiliation, both offline and online.