KADUNA State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba, has warned that the government would soon begin prosecuting negligent parents who expose their children to abuse and molestation.

Baba said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna that the state child protection law has provided sanctions against such parents.

She noted that most parents were negligent about their children, thereby, exposing them to dangers of molestation and abuse by child predators.

The commissioner said that the law,  made to reduce the high level of child abuse in the state, has appropriate sanctions against negligent parents and those who abuse children.

“If we find out that parents are negligent, the child protection law will take care of that, I believe by the time we start sanctioning the parents the abuse will actually reduce.”

She expressed worry that in some cases, it was the parents who abuse their children.

“The ministry recently received a case where a father beat his 7-year-old child mercilessly to the extent of inflicting injuries on the child.

” I don’t understand what has come over the mind of such parent, but with this law in place I am sure such parents will start going to prison.’’

Baba said that the ministry would continue to counsel parents to be more alive to their responsibilities.

“Some of the parents need to be counselled, they need know that they have responsibilities of taking care of the children and giving them protection.

“You will see young children on the streets, children who cannot take care of themselves but are left to source for livelihood.

“We believe that we need to engage the family, stakeholders and all the concerned citizens; people who can speak out when children are abused or molested.’’

On child trafficking, the commissioner said the ministry has six cases it had taken to court.

Baba however expressed reservation about a recent judgement in which the court ordered the return of a stolen child back to a Ghanaian who bought the child.

“We have filed an appeal and also intimated NAPTIP and send them the complete report for them to also take action.’’

– Mar. 15, 2018 @ 11:23 GMT |