The Ogun State Police Command has urged girls to reject child marriage, speak out against abuse and shun social vices as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, says protecting girls’ rights and promoting education are key to preventing crime and safeguarding their future.
Ojajuni said protecting children and empowering young people remained important components of effective crime prevention.
Ojajuni called for sustained
The command said it organised sensitisation programmes at Abeokuta Girls’ Grammar School and Baptist Girls’ College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
The outreach, led by the POCACOV state coordinator, ASP Opeyemi Oluborode, was held in line with the global theme, “End Child Marriage & Invest in Girls’ Rights”.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, he said the initiative was aimed at promoting child protection, academic excellence, youth development, and crime prevention.
Speaking on the topic, “Breaking Boundaries: Shaping the Future of the Girl Child”, Oluborode highlighted the need to protect girls from child marriage, discrimination, abuse, and other harmful practices.
He also drew attention to legal safeguards, including the Child Rights Act as applicable in the relevant jurisdictions, and encouraged the students to pursue their ambitions without allowing gender-based discrimination to limit their aspirations.
Oluborode said education, discipline, self-confidence and determination were essential to personal development and national progress.
He urged the students to draw inspiration from Nigerian women who had distinguished themselves in different professional fields.
The students were also warned against cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, negative peer influence and other social vices capable of jeopardising their education, safety and future.
The command also encouraged the students to resist child marriage, report abuse and seek help from trusted adults and appropriate authorities whenever their rights or safety were threatened.
The students, in response, pledged to shun social vices, uphold their rights and responsibilities, resist child marriage and remain committed to academic excellence.
The management of the two schools commended the Nigeria Police Force for the initiative.
The principal of Baptist Girls’ College, Mrs Osunbara, and the vice-principal (administration) of Abeokuta Girls’ Grammar School, Mrs Akeweje, who represented the school’s principal, thanked Ojajuni for prioritising child protection, youth development and engagement with educational institutions.
Senior prefects from both schools also expressed appreciation and pledged the students’ commitment to the lessons learnt during the sensitisation exercise.
The Commissioner of Police said protecting children and empowering young people remained important components of effective crime prevention.
