On the occasion of Children’s Day, the Vice Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe Branch, Mwalin Abdu, has strongly condemned the amputation of a 12-year-old boy, Adamu, in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State following allegations of phone theft, News About Nigeria reports.
In her press statement titled “Protecting Our Future: Urgent Action Needed on Child Protection in Gombe State”, Abdu criticised the growing incidents of child abuse in the state and called for the immediate implementation of child protection laws.
Abdu, who also chairs the NBA’s Human Rights Committee, pointed out the severity of the issue by recalling a similar incident from 2018, where a 13-year-old boy, Zubair Abubakar, also had his arms amputated due to abuse by a teacher.
“Just days ago, we were confronted with the tragic story of 12-year-old Adamu from Tumu District in Akko LG, who lost his arms over an alleged phone theft. This mirrors the incident with Zubair Abubakar in 2018, revealing a disturbing pattern of child abuse in our community,” Abdu stated.
She commended the Attorney General’s office for taking over the prosecution of these cases but insisted that this measure alone is insufficient.
Abdu said that these incidents are only a small part of the broader issue of child abuse in the state, which includes sexual abuse, child labour, molestation, and trafficking.
“The devastating experiences of victims like Zubair Abubakar and Adamu highlight a pervasive issue in our communities, one that goes beyond headlines and exposes the harsh realities faced by vulnerable children,” she lamented.
Abdu pointed out that despite the 2022 ratification of the child protection law, there remains a huge gap in its enforcement, which continues to leave children at risk.
She urged all stakeholders to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further abuse.
“The time for passive observance is over. Protecting our children’s well-being requires urgent and decisive action. Gombe State must swiftly enforce the child protection law, ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse face the full weight of justice,” she said.
Abdu called for the establishment of specialised victim support services, and widespread awareness campaigns to address and prevent child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking in Gombe State.
In her message to the children of the state on Children’s Day, Abdu stressed the importance of providing adequate protection and support.
“On this National Children’s Day, we must renew our commitment to defending the rights of children in Gombe State. Their safety is paramount, and it is our duty to shield them from harm and empower them to overcome future challenges.”
Abdu concluded by urging the community to take collective action to protect children.
