The 12-year-old Adamu's amputation in the Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State has been strongly denounced by Mwalin Abdu, the Vice Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe Branch. The event is said to have happened after the child was accused of stealing a phone. Read full story
In a press release headlined "Protecting our future: Urgent action needed on child protection in Gombe State," Abdu, who also serves as the chair of the Human Rights Committee NBA, denounced the wave of abuse in honor of 2024 Children's Day.
She asserts that in order to address abuse, authorities should put the child protection law into action, highlighting the necessity of coordinated measures to stop heinous crimes against children.
"In 2018, we became aware of the story of 13-year-old Zubair Abubakar, whose arms were severed due to mistreatment by his teacher. Continue reading from source
Four days ago, we learned of another heartbreaking incident involving 12 year-old Adamu from Tumu District in Akko LG of the same Gombe State, who also lost his arms as a result of a similar incident involving Zubair Abubakar, over suspected phone theft.
These two stories are only the tip of the iceberg of the numerous daily reported and unreported complaints or cases of child abuse in the state, ranging from sexual abuse, child labor, child molestation, child trafficking, and so on. While the office of the Attorney General has taken over the prosecution of the cases, we believe that is insufficient.
"The heartbreaking tales of young victims like Zubair Abubakar and Adamu from Gombe State underscore a troubling reality: child abuse remains a pervasive issue in our communities, transcending mere headlines to expose the harsh realities faced by our most vulnerable members," Abdul continued, lamenting the effects of abuses perpetrated in the state.
Although the 2022 ratification of the child protection law was a significant step, there is still a significant gap between the law and its effective enforcement, putting children at risk and their futures uncertain.
She urged all parties involved to step up and put an end to the numerous incidents, many of which, as Abdu pointed out, go unreported.
The time for inaction has come; swift and decisive action is now necessary to protect every child's welfare," the speaker declared.
Gombe State needs to act quickly to put the child protection law into effect and make sure that those who abuse and exploit our children face the full weight of the law.
To address the pervasive abuse, exploitation, and trafficking that afflict our beloved state, she said, strong reporting procedures, specialized victim support services, and extensive awareness campaigns are essential. She praised the state's millions of youngsters and demanded sufficient funding to guarantee their safety.
Let us pledge once again to uphold the rights of our children in Gombe State on this National Children's Day.
It is our unshakable responsibility to protect them from danger and give them the fortitude to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead. Their safety is something that cannot be compromised.
Gombe State is poised for transformation, and now is the moment to take action.
Together, let's rise to defend our kids, support their aspirations, and give them the confidence to forge a bright future. Our children turn to us for a better tomorrow as the moment draws near, said Abdu.