SIR: On the orders of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Police in Akwa Ibom State on November 29 at about 2 p.m. moved swiftly to Mbo Local Government Area for the search and arrest of one Bishop Sunday Ulup-Aya who stated his involvement in this matter in a documentary broadcast on Channel 4 and placed on several websites.
The said Bishop who claimed he had "killed" several children was successfully apprehended with an accomplice and are at present in detention on a holden charge from where he will face criminal prosecution this week. In view of the above, Government will not hesitate to effect further arrests and prosecutions of organisations, individuals or even parents who are involved in child abuse and labelling children as 'witches'. Already one Rev. Onuoha operating from Oron and fingered in the child stigmatisation saga has been arrested by the police for questioning. At the arrest of the self-styled bishop, about three children were discharged from illegal custody and immediately given government support. They appear normal and healthy. Also the state government has ordered full investigation into the child abuse issue. This will help government fashion out ways of tackling the social problem head-on.
The Governor plans to assent to the Child Rights Act in December, a law that will be fully implemented for the protection of Akwa Ibom children irrespective of economic background.
We here at Ladybrille are super pleased with the Governor's actions and his efforts to also make sure these children are taken care of." Read the rest of the article here.
Source: Nigeria's Guardian Newspaper.
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Great!!.I do commend the Government on this but we should move to next steps. Having worked at Stepping Stones Ngeria Child Empowerment Foundation to re-unite these stigmatized children with their families, I can say that the State Government should include these organizations in the Child Right's Implementation Committee and seek to support them honestly. Only then can these promises make the much needed impact in the lives of the children and the State in general.
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