Dr Idris Yahaya, Director of Child Development at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Women Affairs Secretariat, has announced that the removal of child beggars from Abuja’s streets will be an ongoing effort.
Speaking during a two-day training session for child protection actors in the FCT, organised by the Child Protection Network (CPN) FCT Chapter in Abuja on Wednesday, Yahaya outlined measures to address child exploitation.
The training aimed to enhance stakeholders’ capacity to manage child protection cases effectively.
Yahaya revealed that a committee under the FCTA’s Social and Welfare Department has been established to monitor children forced into street begging.
“The committee routinely moves around the streets of Abuja to ensure that children are not being exploited for alms begging. Some of these beggars pretend to be blind or physically disabled. Once caught, they are taken to rehabilitation centres,” he said.
Following rehabilitation, many are relocated to their states of origin, as Yahaya noted that the FCT attracts individuals from neighbouring states who feign disabilities to beg.
He also warned residents against engaging in child labour, stating that the FCTA is vigilantly monitoring violations.
“Parents must take issues concerning their children seriously. Child protection should be a priority, as children fall into the category of vulnerable persons,” he said, explaining, “Why are they called vulnerable? Because they can’t protect themselves, they can’t decide for themselves, and they certainly can’t provide for themselves.”
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Yahaya advocated for a review of the 2003 Child Rights Act (CRA), arguing that some provisions are outdated and inadequate for addressing current child protection challenges.
Mr Gbenga Adeleke, FCT National Coordinator for CPN, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring children grow up in safe environments, whether at home, at school, or in the community.
“With our work, we discovered that many people who should protect children don’t even know how to do it. About 68 per cent of FCT residents are unaware of the Child Rights Act that safeguards children. And when cases of abuse are reported, some of the first responders lack the capacity and knowledge to handle them appropriately,” he said.
Adeleke emphasised the need for a collective approach, noting, “At every point in time, someone must be accountable for the safety of a child.
“The Nigerian Constitution provides for fundamental human rights, but it lacks specific guidelines on how to protect children who are vulnerable.”
He stressed that this gap highlights the importance of training stakeholders to build a coordinated and informed child protection system in Nigeria.