…….more than half of reported cases allegedly perpetrated by fathers
By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State Government recorded at least 72 cases of child sexual abuse and defilement between January and July 2026, with more than half of the reported cases allegedly perpetrated by fathers of the victims, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, has disclosed.
Abdallah made the disclosure on Thursday during a press briefing organised by the Edo State Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin City, where she outlined the ministry’s activities and interventions from October 2025 to August 2026.
The Commissioner said many of the reported cases involved children between the ages of two and 10, while stressing that the ministry was prioritising the safety, recovery and protection of survivors alongside efforts to ensure that alleged perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.
She said: “Mostly, 50 percent are abused by their own fathers, with the victims ranging 2 to 10 years. For instance, there is a little girl currently in our custody who was impregnated by her father. She is just 14 years old and is eight months pregnant as we speak. The case was reported to us by a neighbour.
“When we asked her about her father, she pleaded with us not to have him arrested. Meanwhile, she is the only person who can tell us where he is.”
Abdallah said the ministry was placing keen attention on the rehabilitation of victims while pursuing the prosecution of offenders.
“In response to child abuse and sexual exploitation, the ministry responded to serious cases, including allegations involving two sisters and an 11-year-old girl.
“We provided protective medical and psychosocial support while the cases were referred for investigation and prosecution,” she said.
Beyond responding to reported cases, Abdallah said the ministry had strengthened child-protection systems through the introduction of digital child-welfare case management using the Children First Software and the review and validation of the Edo State Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
According to her, the revised policy addresses emerging risks to children, including online exploitation, social-media-related risks, artificial intelligence and institutional abuse.
She also disclosed that intensified monitoring of children’s homes resulted in the closure of an allegedly illegal facility in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area, over suspected irregular adoption practices. The operator was subsequently handed over to law-enforcement authorities.
On the broader protection of women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence, the Commissioner said the ministry had strengthened survivor-centred services through the commissioning and operation of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Uromi, while plans were underway to establish another centre in Auchi.
She added that the state had developed and validated a Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Policy Framework to address emerging forms of abuse and violence facilitated by digital technologies.
Abdallah said the ministry’s work under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda also focused on women’s economic empowerment, social protection, mental-health rehabilitation and support for vulnerable persons.
She disclosed that 171 women drawn from the three senatorial districts received business and digital-marketing training as well as grants of ₦100,000 each to support their enterprises. The ministry also organised a three-day Women’s Mini Trade Fair to provide women entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their products, expand their markets and build business networks.
The Commissioner further said 80 beneficiaries had completed vocational skills-acquisition programmes and received certificates and start-up support aimed at helping them rebuild their livelihoods and reintegrate into productive communities.
She cited the successful hosting of the 25th National Council on Women Affairs and Child Development in Benin City as another major milestone, saying the event brought stakeholders from across the country together to deliberate on issues affecting women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Abdallah also highlighted the ministry’s structured mental-health rescue and rehabilitation programme, which includes medical and psychiatric assessment, treatment, shelter, psychosocial support, family tracing and reintegration for vulnerable persons.
She attributed the ministry’s progress to the policy direction and support of Governor Okpebholo and acknowledged the contributions of the Office of the First Lady, development partners, civil-society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
The Commissioner assured that the ministry would continue to strengthen child-protection mechanisms, expand support for survivors of violence, empower women, assist vulnerable persons, strengthen families and promote dignity, safety and inclusion across Edo State.