The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Child Protection Network (CPN)

  • Group faults Min. of Education committee report on sodomy in Kuje School

    The Child Protection Network (CPN), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has described the investigation of sodomy, cannibalism, and substance abuse at the school of the deaf in Kuje, by the committee inaugurated by the Minister of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, as unacceptable.

    The CSO which expressed its concern said that the committee dismissed all allegations without proffering lasting solutions that could protect children in residential facilities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    In a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Coordinator of CPN, FCT Chapter, Mr. Olorunfemi Olusegun, said that “The committee inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of Education in its report published in the Vanguards  News  Papers  of  the  27th March  2019,  dismissed  all  allegations  without  proffering lasting  solutions  that  could  protect  children  in  residential facilities  across  the  FCT.

    “Of great concern to us was one of the reasons given by the committee for its conclusion, which was said to be non-appearance of the victim and the petitioner.

    “In a case as sensitive and traumatic as this, a victim is within his/or right to choose not to make an appearance.

    “Rather than dismissing the allegation, the committee should have probed further to see if there are other evidence to prove these allegations of sexual abuse, cannibalism, sucking of human blood and existence of a cult in Kuje area before coming to their conclusion.”

    Read Also: Police investigate man for sodomy

    It would be recalled the earlier in the year, there was tension at the School for the Deaf and Dumb in the Kuje area of the FCT, Abuja, as suspected occultists were said to have invaded the school premises and allegedly molested some pupils.

    The story gained public attention when the parent of a six-year-old pupil of the school first raised the alarm after she reportedly noticed signs of abuse on her child.

    Olusegun further added: “Rather than dwelling on the implication of the victim going public after they felt justice was coming too slow when the case was initially reported to the school  and  the  ministry  of  education;  this  situation  should  rather  be  turned  positive  by strengthening child safeguarding policy in the educational sector especially in boarding houses across the FCT.

    “In addition, it is unacceptable that the principles of confidentiality, anonymity, and respect for the dignity of the victims were not upheld.”

    He also expressed concerns regarding the demolition of the Divine Wound of Jesus Orphanage Home in Kubwa, saying that the care, protection, and welfare of children.

    According to him, “The case of the demolition of the Divine Wound of Jesus Orphanage Home Kubwa, as the children watched is regrettable.

    “This action by the Federal Capital Development Authority was insensitive and a breach to the rights of the child especially their right to protection and survival.

    “We believe that  the  abuse  of  any  child  under  any  circumstances  is  reprehensible and  no organization, schools especially, is immune to this scourge.

    “Hence, we must do everything within our power to encourage openness and take decisive action that could deter future occurrence.”

    CPN therefore urged the government to: Provide robust psychosocial support to the children in both incidents stated above; resuscitate or establish child safeguarding mechanisms in all residential institutions and boarding houses across the FCT; commence the implementation of the  National  inclusive  education  policy; evacuate the children at the Divine Wounds of Christ Orphanage by the Social Development Secretariat to a more appropriate and conducive home or shelter,  including  proper  accountability  of  every  child  in  the  home  as  at  the  time  the orphanage was demolished; and  provide adequate funding  for  the  Social  development  secretariat  to  be  able  to provide  adequate  supervisory support  and  monitoring  of  all  orphanages including ensuring that they operate within the provisions of the law.

     

  • Alfa rapes wife’s nine-year-old niece

    An Islamic cleric Abdul-Lateef Mustapha, 38, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for alleged defilement of his wife’s nine-year-old niece (names withheld).

    The man was apprehended by members of the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Somolu and handed over to the Bariga Police Station on Sunday morning after he was allegedly caught the previous day.

    It was gathered that the child had earlier complained neighbours that she was being sexually molested by her aunt’s husband but they did not believe her until neighbours caught him in the act on Saturday.

    The suspect who claimed it was the first time he was doing it and apologized was challenged by the victim who said he had raped her more than three times.

    A source who told our Correspondent about the incident said relatives of the suspect wanted to cover it up but his wife and two others quickly alerted the CPN unit in Somolu.

    Read Also: Man, 38, ‘rapes’ six-year-old girl

    “The family wanted to fight the wife. They wanted the matter to die down. They were threatening the girl and also cursing. They also wanted to attack an activist who invited the police,” the source said.

    Confirming the incident, head of CPN in Somolu Toyin Okanlawon said the victim has been taken to the Mirable Centre for examination.

    He said: “The family all bombarded the station in Hijab and Jalamia dress pleading that the Alfa be released. As it stands now, the victim is not safe in that house. She and her aunt slept at the station for their safety following the reaction of the man’s relatives.

    “We have appealed to the Juvenile Centre at Alakara in Mushin to provide shelter for the victim. She was brought from Kano last January by her aunt so that she could be looked after properly but the woman’s husband turned a predator.

    “I specially commend the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Bariga because he provided food for the victim and her aunt when he realised they have not eaten. He also calmed the girl down because she was tearful and traumatized.”

  • Police uncover ‘illegal’ blood bank in Lagos, arrest suspect

    For allegedly running an illegal blood bank in Bariga, a 45-year-old man, Paul Achegbulu has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

    Achegbulu was arrested by a team led by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal Tuesday after detectives got information that the suspect was draining blood from children in his one-room apartment and selling same to some clinics.

    It was gathered that the police team recovered seven pints of blood from his 18, Kusa Bus Stop, Bariga residence.

    According to residents, trouble started for the suspect on June 10, after he drew two pints of blood from a 17-year-old boy, Ayomide Adesanya, which made the victim to pass out.
    He was said to have also drawn two pints from the same victim on June 4, and on each day, he gave the victim N2, 000.

    Imohimi, who also visited Adesanya at the hospital he was admitted after he passed out, told reporters that the suspect lured underage children with the N2, 000 offer, while he confessed that he sold the blood for N7, 000.

    He said: “Adesanya became weak after donating four pints of blood. He collapsed and is currently receiving treatment at the Bariga Hospital.

    Read Also:I don’t want to die in prison, ex-policeman begs Court

    “The mother told us that the daughter’s friend informed them of Adesanya’s condition after she saw him on a bike.”

    But the suspect said he did not know Adesanya was underage, adding that the victim told him he was 20-year-old.

    “It was when his parents came to confront me that I knew he was 17. He told me he was 20. I am a lab scientist. I was trained five years ago at Nigerian Institute of Laboratory Science Technology.

    “Lab technicians from hospitals used to come and buy blood from me. I used to sell the blood through my assistant, Alfa. He’s the one who knows the hospitals he sold to. I do not know where he is at the moment.”

    Condemning the action, a group, Child Protection Network (CPN) said the blood were collected with a cannula in a stuffy room, where the suspect lived with his nursing wife and their baby.

    The group’s coordinator, Ebenezer Omejalile decried the use of the blood by hospitals, noting that they were neither screened for HIV, Hepatitis or other communicable diseases.

    “Adesanya is currently on blood transfusion at the hospital. He was moved to Somolu General Hospital by his parents and as of 5pm, he was receiving his second pint of blood.

    “We demand the investigation and arrest of all those who have been buying blood from Alfa. The suspect’s family has promised to go all out to pervert justice in this case. The matter was first reported to FSARS men at Gbagada but they did nothing about it.”

  • 100,000 children abused in Lagos, says group

    About 100,000 children are abused in Lagos daily, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Child Protection Network (CPN), has said.

    Its Secretary General, Mr Taiwo Akinlami said this has left them with stigma, inferiority complex and low self-esteem.

    Akinlami briefed journalist at the body’s stakeholders meeting on cases of child abuse in Lagos State.

    He said children as future leaders should be given a voice. Children should be allowed to participate in matters that concern them in the state, he added.

    He said CPN’s aim to discuss issues and actions that complement and contribute to strengthening the overall protective environment for children in Lagos State.

    “CPN has served over a million children through their various projects. There were 15 pregnant teenagers at Oshodi, who have been receiving counselling and support from CPN. They were residing under the bridge before we stepped in. Their intention to leave Oshodi was reported to WAPA. And in the process of rescuing them, we picked 22 of them to WAPA shelter,” he said.

    He said the organisation is committed to promoting a cohesive and coordinated approach to the design, implementation and resourcing of child rights advocacy and child protection responses at the state, LGA and community levels.

    This, he added, will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of child rights and child protection through sharing of evidence-based practice and development of common strategies, training and communication materials.

    Akinlami said the organisation will enhance the participation of children in policy, advocacy programmes that have to do with their health and well-being. “This will contribute to the development of national child protection policy and related state/LGA-level planning process,” he stated.

    Its Lagos State Co-ordinator, Mrs Ngozi Ekwerike, said parenting a child is the responsibility of all parents.

    She said: “There is the need to take proper care of our children as they are the future of the country. Mothers should, therefore, give their children quality education about their rights.”

    A don at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Odun Oruoma called for more awareness on the indigenous language to educate children on their rights to avoid any form of abuse.