In Imo State, the Stand for Humanity Foundation has documented more than twenty cases of child abuse in the past few months, ranging from physical battering to sexual defilement, prompting state officials to pursue attempted‑murder charges against a guardian and calling for stricter punishments.
Key details include:
- A five‑year‑old girl suffered severe genital burns after her guardian allegedly used a candle and boiled water; the woman, Juliet Igwe, is being held at Owerri Correctional Centre.
- A 13‑year‑old girl was drugged and repeatedly assaulted by two labourers in Ikeduru; the suspects were arrested following the foundation’s intervention.
- Rose Okon received a six‑month prison term for injuring her 14‑year‑old niece after the child failed to complete an errand.
- The Imo State Government has moved to charge Igwe with attempted murder, while the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Nkechi Ugwu, condemned the attacks.
- Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye reiterated a zero‑tolerance stance toward violence against children.
What did the court decide regarding the five‑year‑old’s guardian?
Juliet Igwe, a 38‑year‑old resident of Osina in Ideato North LGA, was arraigned before a magistrate court and later remanded in custody. She broke down in tears, claiming she did not anticipate the severity of the injury. The state counsel, Fidelis Igbo, announced that the government had filed attempted‑murder charges at Urualla High Court because of the gravity of the offence. The magistrate court struck out the matter, and the case now awaits a high‑court hearing.
How did the foundation secure its first conviction?
On 2 October 2026, the foundation achieved a landmark conviction when Rose Okon pleaded guilty to inflicting serious injuries on her 14‑year‑old niece for failing to run an errand. The court sentenced her to six months in prison but also offered a fine of N50,000, a decision many observers felt was insufficient given the seriousness of the crime.
Who intervened in the case of the 13‑year‑old victim?
Two labourers who drugged and repeatedly assaulted a 13‑year‑old girl in Ikeduru were apprehended after the foundation’s leader, Chidiebube Okeoma, alerted the police. The victims were taken to a hospital where a non‑consensual surgery was performed, sparking outrage among residents.
What actions have authorities taken to curb child abuse?
The Imo State Police Command, represented by DSP Henry Okoye, affirmed a zero‑tolerance policy and pledged vigorous prosecution of offenders. The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Nkechi Ugwu, publicly condemned the attacks and promised continued government support. Additionally, a road‑walk awareness campaign was organized in Owerri, involving the police, the Nigeria Bar Association’s Owerri branch, medical professionals and media outlets.
What reforms does the foundation advocate?
Chidiebube Okeoma called for harsher penalties for child abusers and urged systematic reforms to streamline access to institutional aid for victims. He highlighted the slow pace of justice and bureaucratic hurdles that often deny survivors timely assistance. “Every child deserves to grow up in an environment where their rights are respected, their voices are heard, and protection is readily available,” Okeoma asserted.
The Stand for Humanity Foundation remains committed to strengthening child‑protection laws, building institutional capacity and ensuring that justice is accessible to every child in Nigeria.