By Amos Aar
CHILDREN living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Benue State have been encouraged to speak out and report anyone who sexually abuses them. This appeal was made by stakeholders when JASPI Health and Gender Development Initiative concluded its 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign on Wednesday in Makurdi.
During the closing ceremony held at the International Market IDP Camp, officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) addressed the children and caregivers on their rights and the importance of reporting abuse promptly.
SARC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ene Dirisu, urged children not to remain silent when violated, stressing that protection services exist to support them and ensure offenders face punishment. “Don’t be scared to report. Anybody who wants to touch your private part, say no. If someone has been doing that to you, tell your mummy to report to us so we can protect you and punish the perpetrator”, Dirisu told the children.
Representing the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Enemari, the state Gender Head of the Police, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ameh Ann, reaffirmed that children’s rights must be safeguarded at all times. She encouraged parents, guardians and community members to report any suspected violation so that the law can take its course.
Earlier, JASPI Programme Manager, Mr. Mathew Hemba, explained that the organisation had, between November 25 and December 10, conducted intensive sensitisation activities across camps and host communities in Guma LGA. These jeld dialogue sessions with adolescent girls, women, men and caregivers, as well as demonstrations on how to recognise and respond to online and physical abuse.
According to Hemba, the closing ceremony featured drama and dance presentations by adolescents, designed to help adults understand the forms of abuse that occur in the camps and how to prevent them. He added that partners drawn from the health sector, law enforcement and support services were invited to educate participants on the implications of abuse and available response mechanisms.
