Children’s Day: The Need For Urgent Action Against Kidnappings, Abuse

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world today to mark Children’s Day, beyond the celebrations lies a painful reality confronting millions of Nigerian children.

What exactly are we celebrating when many children still live in fear, insecurity, and uncertainty?

Across the country, innocent children continue to face abduction, violence, abuse, hunger, and neglect as some have been forcefully taken from their homes, schools, and communities by criminals who continue to destroy young lives and traumatize families.

For many parents, the pain of watching their children kidnapped, brutalized, or even killed has become a heartbreaking reality. Schools that should serve as centres of learning and hope are increasingly becoming places of fear and insecurity.

Observers say a nation that cannot protect its children risks endangering its future.

According to them, safety and wellbeing of children must take priority over politics, power struggles, and empty promises.

How long will children continue to suffer violence and insecurity?

How long will families live in fear?

How long will young Nigerians cry for help without meaningful action?

Stakeholders insist that every child deserves safety, freedom, education, protection, and the opportunity to grow in peace and dignity.

As the world marks Children’s Day, attention is also being drawn to children still in captivity, those displaced by violence, victims of abuse, and many others whose futures remain threatened by insecurity and hardship.

There are also renewed calls on government at all levels to strengthen security, rescue abducted children, ensure justice for victims, and create a safer environment where every Nigerian child can learn, grow and thrive.

Until children are truly safe, many believe the celebration remains a mirage.

Protect the children. Secure their future. Save the nation.

WRT-UP/Uju Oparaji