Insecurity has stolen childhood from Nigerian children — FENRAD

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has declared that worsening insecurity across Nigeria has robbed many children of their childhood, forcing them into lives of fear, displacement, trauma, and uncertainty amid rising cases of kidnapping, violence, trafficking, and attacks on vulnerable communities.

The civil society organization and public accountability watchdog expressed deep concern over what it described as the alarming increase in kidnappings, banditry, trafficking, violence, and other forms of insecurity targeted at children in different parts of Nigeria.

In a press release signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and made available to journalists on Wednesday, FENRAD described the situation as a national emergency and a tragic indication of leadership failure, institutional negligence, and the collapse of government responsibility toward child protection and welfare.

According to the organization, rising incidents of child abductions and disappearances in states such as Borno, Yobe, and Oyo, among others, have left many children exposed to captivity, displacement, trauma, exploitation, and denial of access to education, healthcare, and social welfare.

FENRAD argued that it would be morally insensitive for political leaders and government institutions to engage in celebrations and public ceremonies while hundreds of Nigerian children remain in captivity, in internally displaced persons camps, forests, criminal hideouts, and vulnerable communities plagued by fear and violence.

The organization stressed that International Children’s Day should not be reduced to a symbolic event filled with fanfare, speeches, and political propaganda, but should instead serve as a national moment of introspection on the deteriorating condition of children in Nigeria.

It noted that many Nigerian children continue to suffer the consequences of poor governance, insecurity, corruption, impunity, weak institutions, and failure of service delivery.

FENRAD also condemned what it described as the persistent inability of political leaders and security agencies to adequately protect schools, communities, and vulnerable children from attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, traffickers, and organized criminal networks operating across the country.

The organization further lamented the growing humanitarian crisis affecting children nationwide, including increasing rates of out-of-school children, malnutrition, displacement, child labour, exploitation, abuse, and psychological trauma resulting from insecurity and economic hardship.

According to FENRAD, any nation that cannot guarantee the safety, dignity, welfare, and future of its children has failed in one of its most sacred responsibilities to humanity and national development.

As part of its demands, the organization called on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, and relevant institutions to intensify efforts toward the rescue and safe return of all abducted children currently held in captivity across Nigeria.

FENRAD also urged authorities to strengthen child protection systems and community security mechanisms to safeguard schools and vulnerable communities from attacks and criminal activities.

The organization further demanded urgent and transparent investigations into incidents of child kidnapping, trafficking, banditry, and organized criminal activities in affected states, including Borno, Yobe, and Oyo.

It also called for increased budgetary allocation and transparent investment in child welfare, education, healthcare, psychosocial support, and social protection services aimed at improving the well-being of children across the country.

In addition, FENRAD urged the government to hold public officials and security institutions accountable for failures and lapses that continue to expose children to danger and insecurity.

The organization also advocated the declaration of a national day of remembrance for victims of child abduction, terrorism, trafficking, violence, and institutional neglect.

FENRAD appealed to Nigerians, civil society organizations, religious leaders, traditional institutions, development partners, and the international community to demand urgent action and sustained commitment toward protecting Nigerian children and securing their future.

The organization reiterated that true leadership should not be measured by ceremonial speeches or political optics, but by the ability of government to protect lives, defend human dignity, provide social welfare, and guarantee a secure future for the next generation.

“FENRAD stands for accountability. FENRAD stands for justice. FENRAD stands for the protection, security, and future of every Nigerian child,” the statement added.