Protecting girl-child is a moral, societal responsibility – Police

The Nigeria Police Force, the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) have known as for an finish to baby marriage, urging mother and father, group leaders and policymakers to guard the rights of the girl-child and spend money on her training, security and future.

The name was made throughout a programme commemorating the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child. The occasion was organised by a collaboration between POWA and POCACOV, with senior law enforcement officials and baby-safety advocates warning that early marriage deprives ladies of their childhood, training and alternatives to fulfil their potential.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police answerable for Logistics and Supply, DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, described the safety of the girl-child as each a authorized obligation and a ethical responsibility shared by authorities establishments, households and society.

He pressured that poverty, dangerous cultural practices, gender inequality and insecurity should not be allowed to justify the denial of women’ elementary rights.

He recommended POCACOV and POWA for organising the programme, noting that their collaboration mirrored a widespread dedication to safeguarding the dignity, rights and future of women.

According to him, baby marriage stays a main barrier to women’ development, exposing them to poverty, violence, abuse and restricted life alternatives whereas denying them entry to training and the possibility to understand their full potential.

“The Nigeria Police Force recognises that protecting the girl-child is not merely a legal obligation, but also a moral and societal responsibility,” he mentioned.

The IGP’s consultant reaffirmed the police power’s dedication to defending youngsters and different susceptible individuals by regulation enforcement, group engagement, public consciousness and strategic partnerships with related stakeholders.

He added that investing in ladies’ training, well being, security, management alternatives and financial empowerment would contribute to peace, safety and nationwide improvement.

On her half, the President of POWA, Mrs Olufunmilayo Disu, represented by the spouse of the DIG answerable for Training, Mrs Zainab Ishaku Muhammed, urged Nigerians to problem dangerous traditions and social pressures that perpetuate baby marriage.

She maintained that cultural heritage shouldn’t turn out to be an excuse for practices that undermine youngsters’s rights, stressing that traditions ought to present ladies with identification and a sense of belonging reasonably than impose limitations on their aspirations.