The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called for increased investment in girls’ education, safety and economic empowerment, saying that child marriage continues to undermine their rights and future prospects.

The call was made during the 2026 International Day of the Girl-Child organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in partnership with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

The event, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” brought together secondary school students from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), representatives of international organisations, educators, medical practitioners, development partners and policymakers.

Participants discussed ways to address child marriage and other violations of girls’ rights despite existing national and international legal protections.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Logistics and Supply, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, described the initiative as timely.

He said protecting children was both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility, adding that investing in girls’ rights meant supporting their education, health, safety, leadership opportunities and economic empowerment.

The IGP urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts to end child marriage and protect children within their communities.

In her keynote address, Commissioner of Police, Sarah Ehindero, said every person below the age of 18 is entitled to protection under the law.

“Protecting the girl-child is not an act of favour. The police are not doing you a favour by protecting your rights; we are performing our statutory duties,” she said.

Ehindero identified poverty, insecurity, gender inequality, harmful cultural practices and limited access to education as major factors contributing to child marriage.

She said the practice had disrupted girls’ education, exposed them to health risks and restricted their personal development.

The commissioner reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to enforcing child protection laws and ensuring that cases involving abuse and early marriage were investigated and prosecuted.

She also called for stronger partnerships and community-based initiatives to protect children, particularly girls, from abuse, exploitation and harmful practices.

National President of POWA, Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, represented by Zainab Isyaku Mohammed, said that child marriage deprives girls of educational opportunities and exposes them to abuse and exploitation.

She, therefore, called for stronger community protection systems and closer collaboration among stakeholders to address child marriage and other violations of girls’ rights.

Disu encouraged students to take advantage of platforms, such as the International Day of the Girl-Child, to learn about their rights and speak out against harmful practices.

Representatives of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development also attended the event.