The Federal Government has condemned the inhumane treatment of children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, carried out under the guise of a so-called “spiritual cleansing” exercise.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement issued, yesterday, in Abuja by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the act as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
She confirmed that the rescued children were receiving care and support under protective custody in line with the law.
“Whether by strangers, community leaders, or parents, any individual or group found culpable of such heinous acts will be held accountable under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. This includes any parent or guardian who aided or condoned the abuse,” she said. The minister commended the Nigeria Police Force and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for their swift intervention in rescuing and safeguarding the affected children.
She also praised vigilant citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, describing their courage as an embodiment of the government’s “See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something” campaign.
However, Sulaiman-Ibrahim urged members of the public to channel such reports directly to the Police, NAPTIP, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure rapid response without jeopardising rescue efforts or compromising the victims’ privacy.
Reiterating the Tinubu administration’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children, the minister said: “We will not rest until Nigeria becomes a safe place for every child to grow, dream, and thrive. The soul of our nation depends on how we protect its future, our children.
