To ensure the protection of the rights of older persons in the society, the National Senior Citizens Centre, (NSCC), has said that will begin a manhunt of all abusers and violators of senior citizens.

In a message marking this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), the centre warned that anyone caught violating or abusing older persons, one of the most vulnerable in the society, will face the law as there will be penalties.

The statement signed by the Head, of Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications, Omini Oden, contains that the Centre has taken steps to eradicate the abuse and violation of the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria including through its anti-Elder Abuse and Community Response Mechanism

It noted that this year’s theme for WEAAD “Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Older Age Policy, Law and Evidence-Based Response”, aims at awareness creation on cultural, social, economic and demographic issues that fosters Elder Abuse and neglect and to voice out opposition against abuse of the human rights of older persons.

The agency stated that its strategic partnership in mainstreaming the rescue and remedy of older person response mechanism in Nigeria as well as the NSCC strategic partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), will also ensure that the rights of older persons are not abused.

To this end “NSCC mounted Media campaigns to fundamentally change negative perceptions on Ageing and older persons and promoted age-friendly environment and services.

“On this Special global day, awareness will be centred on the cultural, social, economic and demographic issues that foster Elder Abuse and neglect and to voice out opposition against abuse of the human rights of older persons,” it reads.