Buhari promises to crack down on forced marriages and the abduction of young girls

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his government will not tolerate forced marriages and child abduction adding that he will not hesitate to clamp down on anyone who participates in the abuse of girls.

 

Giving the warning as part of his Children's Day message, President Buhari added that his government frowns on the practise of abducting under-aged girls and forcing them unto marriages. Nigeria is notorious for child marriages with even pre-teenage girls regularly forced to marry men twice or three times their ages.

 

Speaking in Abuja  at the 2016 National Children’s Day Celebration, President Buhari said: “Challenges posed by the total breakdown of societal values and the current unrestricted social media vices, which therefore, calls for an urgent need for all stakeholders to put all hands on deck in making conscious efforts at raising awareness of parents, family and communities at all levels on the critical role of protecting children against all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation including abduction of children, forced and early marriage.

 

“As I said when I received Amina Ali Nkeki, the rescued Chibok girl, our determination and commitment to the protection of our children is unshaken. This government is resolute in our efforts at rescuing all the missing Chibok girls, the recent rescue of Amina Ali Nkeki and Sarah Luka by our gallant soldiers and the civilian Joint Task Force is a testimony to our unwavering resolve at defeating Boko Haram terrorists."

 

He added that no Nigerian should be put through the brutality of abduction, violence in whatever form or forced marriage. In addition, President Buhari said every girl has a right to education and their choice of life.

 

 “Violence against children comes in so many forms and these acts lead to physical and emotional harm to the growth and development of the child, this ultimately leads to permanent psychological and emotional trauma on the child. This administration is committed to protecting the rights and privileges of all Nigerian children," President Buhari added.