By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A Non-governmental Organisation under the aegis of Child Protection Network (CPN), on Monday pledged its readiness to support and fight for the rights of children in Plateau State, saying that child trafficking, molestation, abuse and other vices in the system, will also be dealt with.
Plateau State Coordinator for the Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs.Sandra Chikan made this known while speaking at the commissioning of the NGO office in Jos.
“This is the time to tighten our belts, It is the time to collaborate, unite, and confront the pressing issues affecting our children.
“The Child Protection Network Foundation is working so hard to tackle the reported high cases of child trafficking and other vices in the State as well as increasing the accessibility of services for abused children.
“We can no longer afford to work in isolation. Instead, we must operate as a united front, a consortium, a coalition of determined forces”, she added.
According to her: “The sad reality before us is that countless children in the State are being trafficked daily and in some local government areas within the State, some children are falsely accused of witchcraft, subjected to inhumane treatment, and in extreme cases, even buried alive or killed”.
“These acts are unacceptable. They are a grave call to action. We must reflect deeply on our collective responsibility and unite to put an end to these injustices.
“Perpetrators of these heinous crimes such as child traffickers, abusers, and pedophiles will face the full force of the Child Protection Network (CPN).
“Let us remain committed to this cause, Let us work hand in hand to restore the values that have been eroded and address the root causes of child abuse, including poverty, which often drives these crimes.
As the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Today, I declare that we are that village, and this is the time for the village to rise.
She also added that “This gathering also serves as a call for broader partnerships. I want to celebrate our key partners, particularly SOS and CDN, who have been pillars of encouragement and support for our efforts.
“Their contributions have been instrumental, and we are especially grateful for the sub-grant they have provided.
Also Speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Caroline Panglang Dafur, reaffirmed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s commitment to protecting every Child and highlighted the numerous cases the government had discovered and intercepted stressing that those arrested would face the full wrath of the law.
She said: “We would prosecute anyone who is discovered to be involved in child trafficking in any of the state’s 17 local government areas.
“I am truly delighted to be part of this significant moment. As we always say, the government alone cannot handle the enormous task of protecting our children.
“This responsibility requires the collective effort of every stakeholder.
“We must come together, join hands, and collaborate to achieve our shared goals. “The work is immense, but with your support and cooperation, we can succeed.
The administration of Mutfwang is deeply committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of children, women, and vulnerable groups in our society.
“This commitment is reflected in the consistent financial support we receive to implement initiatives aimed at protecting these groups.
“There is a lot happening concerning the rights of our children, As I speak to you, we have over 12 individuals currently under arrest ,
“This issue involves not just individuals but also institutions like schools, hospitals.
Unfortunately, some hospitals as well as influential persons have been found to be complicit in child trafficking, which is unacceptable.
“This administration is taking the fight against child trafficking seriously, and anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law. We have had to bring in people from Lagos and Abuja to address cases of children being trafficked out of the State. This is not something we take lightly.
“Our efforts are yielding results. We recently dismantled a major child trafficking cartel, which has been a tough battle. This cartel was well-organized, with lawyers, food vendors, and even religious leaders including three pastors involved in these illegal activities”, she said.
