As the world prepares to mark the International Day of Innocent Children, Victims of Aggression (IDICVA), mothers in Makurdi have appealed for lasting peace in Benue State and across Nigeria.
Some women who spoke to a correspondent on Wednesday in Makurdi noted that violence against children often stems from widespread insecurity and conflict.
Mrs Agnes Akor remarked that displacement caused by insecurity has forced many mothers into desperate situations, making them hand over their children to others under the hope of support.
“The insecurity in the land has caused people to be thrown out of their homes, and they can barely feed themselves,” she said.
“So a mother who cannot bear to see her children go hungry is forced to give her children out to other people to train for her.”
“In turn, the so-called helpers turn the children entrusted to them into mere slaves, and it’s disheartening.”
Akor appealed to the government and stakeholders to pursue a permanent solution to the insecurity, stressing that women and children suffer the most.
Similarly, Mrs Member Nyor stressed that only peace could bring an end to child labour in Nigeria.
According to her, mothers in Benue were once industrious and self-reliant before insecurity forced many from their homes, leaving them with few options.
Nyor also called for harsher penalties for those who abuse children, citing numerous cases of mistreatment with little to no consequences.
“I have seen where children were being abused by some households; the social media are awash with stories of violence against children both in schools and some homes,” she said.
“But I have not seen or heard where the abusers were punished or made to pay for their crimes.”
She urged lawmakers to complement government efforts by enacting strict laws that would impose capital punishment on child abusers.
(NAN)