A human rights organisation, Stand For Humanity Foundation, has decried the rising cases of child abuse in Imo State, calling on critical stakeholders to strengthen efforts to tackle the menace.

The foundation, alongside prominent personalities and stakeholders, staged an awareness walk through major streets in Owerri, the state capital, over the weekend to campaign against all forms of child abuse.

Founder of the organisation, Chidiebube Okeoma, a journalist, said the increasing incidence of child abuse necessitated the campaign. He called for justice for victims of child abuse, sexual assault and other forms of human rights violations.

Okeoma disclosed that the organisation is partnering with the Imo State Police Command, the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Imo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, the Office of the Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the Governor, and other key stakeholders to curb the scourge.

He cited several recent cases, including the alleged abuse of a 12-year-old girl by a 63-year-old man who is currently remanded at the Owerri Correctional Centre; the alleged abuse of a seven-year-old girl by a 73-year-old man now in police custody; the alleged maltreatment of a five-year-old girl by her 38-year-old guardian, who is also in custody; and the alleged abuse of a four-year-old girl by a 64-year-old man who has been arraigned in court.

According to him, ending child abuse requires a collective effort from government, security agencies, civil society organisations and members of the public.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Garba Bosso, represented by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, commended the foundation for mobilising stakeholders to advocate for the protection of children.

He assured that the Imo State Police Command would continue to collaborate with the organisation and other partners to combat all forms of child abuse across the state.

Other stakeholders at the event, including the Vice Chairman of the NBA Owerri Branch and Chairman of its Human Rights Committee, Ekezie Onumajulu; the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Imo State, Dr. Bartholomew Echeta; and the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Uche Ewelike, praised the awareness campaign and pledged continued support.

Also participating in the campaign were Chief Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Dr. Emeka Nwolisa; Nollywood comic actor Osinachi Dike, popularly known as Apama; the Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the Governor, Eric Uwakwe; and former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Ugonna Ozurigbo.

They unanimously described child abuse as a grave injustice against humanity and pledged to work together to eradicate the menace.