National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has rescued a motherless boy in Badariya community in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.
Confirming the report, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, said the victim was allegedly tied to a stake by his father in his compound, fed by goat dung by his three wives for two years on the premise that the child had a mental problem.
Ojukwu said that the reasons adduced by the father and three wives were untenable and baseless.
He expressed concerns over the spate of maltreatment meted out to minors and other categories of vulnerable persons by some members of the society, including their relations “who are supposed to protect and offer them care and support.”
The Executive Secretary said NHRC Coordinator in the state, Barr. Hamza Wala, responded promptly, having received a report from neighbours about inhuman treatment meted out to the child.
Ojukwu said the minor was now in safe hands, as “he is presently receiving medical attention” while “the alleged violator and his wives are being currently investigated for further prosecution by Kebbi state Police Command.”
The matter has also attracted the attention of the Kebbi state government.
The human rights boss recalled an incident where a father in Okigwe, Imo state, chained his children, hit them with hammer and splashed salt and pepper in their bleeding wounds.
“The prompt intervention of the Commission at that time paid-off because relevant government agencies including the Police got involved in addressing the matter,” he said.
He stated that torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments contravened relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution, Child’s Rights Act 2003 as well as other relevant regional and international treaties to which NigeriaI was a signatory.
Ojukwu said such casescould not be swept under the carpet, given the grave human rights challenges they posed not only to the victims but also to the society.
He said the Commission was also taking the opportunity to call on parents, guardians and other categories of CARE-GIVERS to mainstream human rights norms and principles while taking care of their children, wards or persons under their care.
He called on states who have yet to domesticate the Child’s Rights Act to do so in order to protect and save the Nigerian child from such horror.
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