Urges increased investment in girls’ rights
By Frank Ulom
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Published on October 13, 2026
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3 min read
The Nigeria Police Force has called for increased investment in girls’ rights and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to end child marriage and protect children from abuse and exploitation.
The call was made on Monday, 12 October 2026, during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Vices (POCACOV), in partnership with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The event, held under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” brought together secondary school students from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), international organisations, educators, medical practitioners, corporate organisations, development partners, policymakers and other stakeholders.
Discussions centred on strategies to address child marriage and the continued violation of the rights of the girl child despite the existence of relevant national and international laws.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Logistics and Supply, DIG Kenechukwu Onwumelie, described the initiative as timely and impactful.
He said the protection of children’s rights was not only a legal obligation but also a moral and societal responsibility.
According to him, investing in girls’ rights involves providing access to education, healthcare, safety, leadership opportunities and economic empowerment.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to ending child marriage and protecting children’s rights within their respective areas of responsibility.
“Investing in girls’ rights means investing in their education, health, safety, leadership opportunities and economic empowerment,” he said.
Onwumelie called on relevant institutions and individuals to work together to safeguard children and promote an environment where girls could enjoy their rights and fulfil their potential.
Speaking on behalf of POWA’s National President, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, Mrs Zainab Isyaku Mohammed emphasised the need for collective action to address the increasing incidence of child marriage and violations of the rights of the girl child.
She expressed concern that the practices persisted despite the domestication of relevant laws in Nigeria, calling for urgent measures to prevent girls from being married off at an early age.
Mohammed highlighted the harmful consequences of early marriage for the affected child, the family and the wider community.
She also encouraged students, particularly girls, to take advantage of educational and advocacy platforms that promote awareness of children’s rights and empower them to understand and defend those rights.
Other dignitaries at the event included representatives of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to building strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders and supporting community engagement initiatives aimed at promoting children’s rights.
The Force said it would continue to support efforts to protect children, particularly the girl child, from abuse, exploitation and other harmful practices.
