The African Child Rights Marshal (ACRM) West African Regional Command has called for stronger child protection systems and greater regional cooperation following allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation involving a minor in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.
The call follows an official statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by the Nigerian National Commandant of ACRM, Marshal Dr. Juliet Hassana Muoneme, PhD., on the reported incident.
According to the statement, the Anambra State Police Command had confirmed the arrest of a woman in connection with the case and the rescue of four children, with investigations continuing.
Dr. Muoneme described child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, and child pornography as serious crimes and called for a child-centered investigation, prosecution where evidence establishes criminal responsibility, and the application of the maximum punishment permitted under Nigerian law upon conviction.
She also urged members of the public not to circulate alleged materials depicting the abuse of children, stressing the need to protect the dignity and privacy of victims.
Wemakor calls for regional action
Commenting from the perspective of the ACRM West African Regional Command, Marshal Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Assistant Commandant General, said the case highlights the need for stronger and more coordinated child protection mechanisms across West Africa.
He said that although allegations must be investigated and determined through due process, the vulnerability of children requires institutions and communities to respond swiftly and responsibly.
“A child must never become a commodity, a source of income or content for the gratification or financial benefit of an adult. The dignity of every child must be protected, whether that child is at home, in school, within the community or in the digital environment,” Dr. Wemakor said.
According to him, the increasing use of digital platforms in the exploitation of children also requires countries in the region to strengthen cross-border cooperation among law enforcement agencies, child protection institutions, and civil society organisations.
“Our borders may separate jurisdictions, but they must never become barriers to protecting children,” he said.
“Where the exploitation of a child crosses a border, our child-protection response must be capable of crossing that border as well.”
Warning against sharing abuse material
Dr. Wemakor also urged the public to refrain from forwarding, reposting, or otherwise distributing alleged child-abuse materials encountered online.
He said sharing such content could further expose victims and deepen the harm they have already suffered.
“A child’s suffering must never become our entertainment, curiosity, or social media content,” he said.
“If you encounter material depicting the abuse of a child, do not help it travel further. Report it through the appropriate channels.”
The ACRM official further called on parents, caregivers, teachers, community leaders, and institutions to strengthen vigilance and create safe environments where children can report abuse without fear.
He said investigations involving children should protect their dignity, privacy, and well-being while ensuring that due process is respected.
“We must pursue accountability without losing sight of the child. The child must remain at the centre of every investigation, every intervention, and every policy response,” he said.
Child protection as a shared responsibility
Dr. Wemakor said protecting children should not be left solely to families or individual institutions but should be treated as a shared responsibility across communities and countries.
He called for stronger reporting mechanisms, institutional capacity, public education, and cross-border cooperation to address child sexual abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and other threats to children.
He also urged communities to reject the culture of silence surrounding child abuse and to ensure that children who disclose abuse are listened to, protected, and supported.
“When a child is vulnerable, society must become stronger around that child. When a child cannot speak, responsible adults must speak up. When a child is at risk, our institutions must act before the harm becomes irreversible,” he said.
The ACRM West African Regional Command reiterated the importance of lawful investigations and appropriate judicial processes in cases involving alleged offences against children, while emphasising that the safety, dignity, and best interests of the child should remain central throughout the process.
