The Edo Government says incest accounts for about 60 per cent of child abuse cases handled by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with victims reportedly ranging from two to 16 years old.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday. She described the situation as disturbing and called for stronger vigilance and child protection measures across communities.
Abdallah also provided an update on the case of a 14-year-old girl from Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, who recently gave birth to a stillborn baby following an alleged abuse case involving her father. She said the government was providing the girl with medical care, psychological counselling and psychosocial support, while making arrangements to support her education and vocational development.
The commissioner said the alleged perpetrator fled after government intervention and efforts were ongoing to apprehend him. She urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and community members to promptly report suspected abuse, assuring victims and witnesses of confidentiality and protection.
The commissioner also highlighted ongoing school sensitisation programmes and collaboration with law enforcement and specialised courts to strengthen the response to child and gender-based violence.
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