CEE-HOPE demands thorough investigation into alleged child’s sexual exploitation in Onitsha
The Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE Nigeria) has called for a thorough investigation, prosecution and stronger child-protection measures following reports of the alleged sexual exploitation of a child in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The organisation also urged the public to stop circulating a video reportedly linked to the case, warning that further sharing could expose the child to additional harm and lasting digital abuse.
The Anambra State Police Command reportedly arrested a 36-year-old woman on September 10 following the circulation of the video. According to the organisation’s statement, four children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued from the home. Police investigations are ongoing.
CEE-HOPE Founder and Executive Director, Betty Abah, said the reported incident should be treated as a child-protection and criminal justice matter rather than as online content or a private family affair.
“A child is not a commodity, prop, source of online income or material for sexual gratification,” Abah said.
The organisation said that if the allegations are established in court, the law should be fully applied against those found responsible.
It also called for an immediate and independent safeguarding assessment of all four children, including psychosocial support and trauma-informed care. CEE-HOPE said alternative care arrangements should be considered if the children cannot safely remain with their mother or any other person implicated in the alleged abuse.
CEE-HOPE specifically appealed to members of the public not to forward, repost, download or share the video, screenshots or related material, including through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
The organisation said repeated circulation of alleged child sexual abuse material could compound the victim’s trauma by increasing the risk of identification, humiliation and long-term digital exposure.
It urged anyone who encounters suspected child sexual abuse material to report it to law-enforcement authorities and the relevant digital platform instead of distributing it.
CEE-HOPE said the investigation should extend beyond the person allegedly responsible for the abuse to the wider digital trail surrounding the material.
The organisation called for authorities to investigate anyone who may have solicited, facilitated, purchased, distributed, monetised or otherwise enabled the alleged exploitation.
It also called for greater accountability from digital platforms, including faster detection, removal and reporting of child sexual abuse material.
CEE-HOPE cited Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Nigeria ratified in 1991, and the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, ratified in 2010.
The organisation also pointed to domestic protections including the Child Rights Act 2003, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and applicable state child-protection legislation.
CEE-HOPE said these legal commitments should translate into effective investigation, prosecution, victim protection, digital accountability and prevention.
The organisation further called for stronger public education for parents, caregivers, schools and communities on online child exploitation and digital safeguarding.
“Children belong to no one. They are not property, content or commodities. Their dignity, safety and best interests must come first—online, offline, at home, in school and everywhere in between,” Abah said.
CEE-HOPE urged authorities to ensure that child protection continues beyond any arrest, encompassing investigation, justice, recovery and long-term safeguarding.
