FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONDEMNS CHILD ABUSE AND TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED VIOLENCE

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has received with grave concern reports of the alleged brutal abuse of a 12-year-old boy, Master Ugonna Uzoma, in Aba, Abia State, reportedly resulting in serious injuries inflicted by his father. The Ministry unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, torture, cruelty, humiliation and abuse against children. Parental authority must never be used to violate a child’s dignity, bodily integrity or fundamental rights.

2. The Ministry commends 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. Their coordinated response underscores the shared responsibility to ensure that the safety and best interests of every child remain paramount.
3. The Ministry is equally concerned by the reported technology-facilitated abuse of children in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving material allegedly showing a mother abusing her daughters. Abuse is no less serious because it is recorded or shared online. Recording, uploading or circulating such material compounds the harm, violates children’s privacy and dignity, and exposes them to further humiliation and trauma.
4. The Ministry commends the Nigeria Police Force, Anambra State Command, the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, FIDA and other state and non-state actors for their swift response, including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and the placement of the children in safe care. Such action demonstrates the urgent need for coordinated intervention whenever children are at risk.
5. The Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act), provide a clear legal framework for protecting children from abuse, exploitation, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and other forms of violence. These laws affirm that every child is a rights-holder and that protection is a shared responsibility.
6. The Ministry therefore urges the public not to download, repost, forward or circulate videos or images depicting abused children. Further dissemination may constitute an additional violation of their rights and deepen their trauma. 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.
7. Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not. Competent authorities must be allowed to investigate, secure victims, provide medical and psychosocial support, preserve evidence and pursue justice where wrongdoing is established.
8. This position reflects the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of women and children and maintaining zero tolerance for gender-based violence in all its forms, including online exploitation, digital harassment, cyber-enabled abuse and the misuse of digital platforms to expose or humiliate victims.
9. The Ministry appreciates members of the public whose vigilance helped bring these cases to attention. Citizens are encouraged 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. Reports should be made promptly while respecting the privacy and dignity of survivors.
10. The Federal Ministry will 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, survivor support and accountability. It will also promote stronger safeguards for women and children in digital spaces.
11. Parents, caregivers, communities, schools, religious and traditional institutions, media organisations and technology platforms must all play their part. Every credible report deserves an appropriate response, and every effort to raise awareness must prevent further harm rather than expose victims to additional humiliation.
12. Nigeria’s children must be protected under our laws, and their safety and wellbeing remain national priorities. Violence must never be normalised because it occurs within the family, is disguised as discipline or is amplified online. The Ministry calls on all Nigerians to remain vigilant, report abuse promptly and refuse to share material that could further traumatise victims.
13. The Ministry will through coordinated action by government, institutions, communities and citizens, ensure proper prosecution and timely judgements in these cases to serve as deterrant in building a society free from violence, exploitation and humiliation; offline and online.

Signed
Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Abuja, Nigeria

13-09-26