‘Stop Stigmatizing Children Alleged To Possess Witchcraft Powers’

Individuals and groups who have formed the habit of victimizing and stigmatizing children alleged to possess witchcraft powers have been warned to desist forthwith or face the full weight of the law.
Commissioner for Information, Communication and Ethical Re-Orientation in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Aniekan Umanah stated this while addressing a cross section of journalists in the state.

The commissioner’s warning came against the backdrop of information that a certain Danish woman, Anja Ringgren Loven, Fionder of African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAIDF), is raising funds and making documentary on ‘child witchcraft in Nigeria’, after she claimed to have rescued a child accused of witchcraft in the state.
He maintained that government has promulgated enabling laws concerning Child Rights Act and Protection aimed at checkmating all forms of child abuse, including child witch cases.
Umanah, who condemned in its entirety the abuse of rights of children adding that the state in 2008 promulgated the Child Rights and Protection Law, which prohibits stigmatization of any Akwa Ibom child as a witch or wizard and clearly prescribed severe punishment , including lengthy imprisonment terms for offenders.
The commissioner noted that in view of the fact that the government has done what is required by law, international institutions, individuals , non-governmental organizations or other collaborative ventures should recognize what the legal statutes prescribe and should therefore do the right thing.
According to him, “this infers that whatever child-related issues that maybe discovered should be directed to the social welfare department or relevant authorities to handle.
Expressing confidence in the capability of the present administration to handle all matters pertaining to the wellbeing of all citizens, he cautioned against resort to blackmail, adding that humanitarian activities should be on cause without infringing on the children’s rights as it were.
He emphasized that the relevant bodies in charge of child welfare in the state are fully equipped to handle such issues.
Umanah advised that under no circumstances or guise should children be stigmatized or abused and anyone caught would be severely dealt with.
He advised non-government organizations to work with the relevant child welfare departments of government in line with the extant laws governing such matters in the state.