FG Condemns “Brutal” Abuse Of 12-Year-Old Boy in Aba, Warns Against Sharing Videos of Child Abuse

ABUJA — The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has condemned two separate cases of child abuse in Abia and Anambra States, including the alleged “brutal” beating of a 12-year-old boy by his father and the reported recording of a mother abusing her daughters for online circulation.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Ministry described both incidents as grave violations of children’s rights and warned Nigerians against downloading, reposting or forwarding videos of abused children.

—ABA CASE: FATHER ALLEGEDLY BEATS SON TO SERIOUS INJURY—

The Ministry said it received reports of the alleged abuse of Master Ugonna Uzoma, 12, in Aba, Abia State, reportedly inflicted by his father, which resulted in serious injuries.

“Parental authority must never be used to violate a child’s dignity, bodily integrity or fundamental rights,” the Ministry stated. “The Ministry unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, torture, cruelty, humiliation and abuse against children.”

It commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs for their “prompt intervention,” including the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and placing the child under protective care.

—ONITSHA CASE: MOTHER ALLEGEDLY RECORDED ABUSING DAUGHTERS—

The Ministry also expressed concern over reported technology-facilitated abuse in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving material allegedly showing a mother abusing her daughters.

“Abuse is no less serious because it is recorded or shared online. Recording, uploading or circulating such material compounds the harm, violates children’s privacy and dignity, and exposes them to further humiliation and trauma,” it said.

The Ministry commended the Anambra State Police Command, Anambra Ministry of Women Affairs, FIDA and other actors for the swift arrest of the alleged perpetrator and placement of the children in safe care.

—“REPORT ABUSE, DON’T MAKE IT VIRAL”—

Citing the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015, the Ministry urged the public not to circulate images or videos of abused children.

“Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not,” it said. Citizens who encounter such content were advised to preserve evidence securely, avoid sharing it, and report immediately to the police, NAPTIP, FIDA, or State Ministries of Women Affairs.

The Ministry linked the cases to President Bola Tinubu’s “zero tolerance for gender-based violence in all its forms, including online exploitation, digital harassment, cyber-enabled abuse and the misuse of digital platforms to expose or humiliate victims.”

—CALL FOR COORDINATED ACTION—

The Ministry said it will strengthen collaboration with states, law enforcement, the judiciary, NAPTIP, civil society and tech platforms to improve prevention, reporting, and survivor support. It also called for “proper prosecution and timely judgements” to serve as a deterrent.

“Violence must never be normalised because it occurs within the family, is disguised as discipline or is amplified online,” the statement added.

The Ministry thanked Nigerians whose vigilance helped bring the cases to light and urged continued reporting while respecting survivors’ privacy and dignity.

THE CONCLAVE advisory: If you suspect child abuse, contact: Nigeria Police Force, NAPTIP, FIDA, or your State Ministry of Women Affairs.