Yobe to set up child protection commission

Yobe State Government has unveiled plans to establish a Child Protection Commission to tackle abuse cases and enhance the welfare of children in the state.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu, disclosed this on Sunday, saying the proposed commission will serve as a specialized institution for addressing child-related violations and ensuring justice for victims.

According to Kagu, the idea emerged after engagements with key justice sector stakeholders, including the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, the Law Officers Association, and other civil society groups, who raised concerns over gaps in child protection mechanisms in the state.

“Years of insurgency have compounded these social challenges, especially for children. Hence, it is about time for a new, comprehensive and more robust framework for their protection”, he said.

He noted that the current structure, which relies on a single desk officer and a few committees, is grossly inadequate to handle the growing cases of child abuse and neglect, especially in the aftermath of years of insurgency that left many children vulnerable.

Kagu said the Ministry of Justice has been mandated to draft a proposal for the creation of the commission for consideration by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

“Our intent is to bring on board a new quasi-judicial architecture with powers to receive complaints, summon persons, investigate issues/reports, hold inquiries, refer cases for prosecution, and make recommendations to relevant bodies, including the State Assembly”, Kagu said.

He added that it will also have its own budget and personnel to enable it to operate effectively with full focus on child welfare issues.

The Attorney-General stressed that the government is determined to ensure that violators of children’s rights face the full weight of the law.

He recalled that Governor Buni had earlier assented to the Yobe State Child Protection Law 2022 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2022, which provide the legal framework for protecting children and other vulnerable groups.

The proposed commission, he added, will build on existing laws to provide a stronger institutional response to child protection challenges in Yobe.