The recent report by the Lagos State Government revealing that 2,588 minors were sexually and emotionally abused between August 2022 and July 2023 highlights a disturbing trend of increasing child sexual defilement in Nigeria. This alarming rise requires immediate intervention through stronger laws, tougher enforcement, and comprehensive social welfare schemes to protect vulnerable groups, especially minors, from sexual predators.

Sexual abuse of children is becoming epidemic, with frequent reports of child rape in the media. Notable cases include a four-year-old pupil allegedly raped by a school guard in Lagos, a six-year-old girl defiled by a farmer in Ondo, and the rape of two minors by a 70-year-old man in Adamawa. These stories reflect the broader crisis affecting Nigerian children, exacerbated by poverty, weak healthcare, and lack of protection.

UNICEF reports that six out of 10 Nigerian children face violence, with one in four girls and 10% of boys being sexually abused. The lack of support for these victims is alarming, as many children are left without proper healthcare, education, or security.

To address this, the federal, state, and local governments, alongside NGOs and communities, must urgently come together to protect children. This includes reforming harmful cultural practices like child marriage, which disproportionately affects young girls. The practice, widespread in the North, denies girls their potential and legitimizes sexual abuse. Stronger legal frameworks should outlaw child marriage, as seen in other countries like Egypt and Jordan.

Parents must also prioritize their children’s safety by being vigilant and minimizing the risk of leaving children with relatives or neighbors, who are often the perpetrators of abuse. Governments should create robust social monitoring systems and establish a national database of convicted paedophiles and rapists to deter future crimes.

Additionally, laws should be revised to impose harsher penalties for child rapists and their accomplices. Serial offenders should face long prison terms, and Nigeria should adopt measures similar to the United States, where convicted sex offenders are registered and monitored for life. Countries like Indonesia and South Korea have gone further by using chemical castration for serial sex offenders.

Women’s groups, communities, and the police should also play a critical role in tackling the crisis. State police commands must establish dedicated rape helpdesks, and a national toll-free emergency hotline should be available for victims to report abuse quickly.

While arrests have been made, more needs to be done to ensure swift justice and comprehensive prevention measures. The fight against child sexual abuse in Nigeria must be prioritized to protect the nation’s future.