By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, has condemned the persistent branding of children as witches in parts of Nigeria, calling the practice both dangerous and criminal. He stressed that despite existing legal prohibitions, the harmful trend continues in some communities, leading to severe human rights violations against vulnerable children.
Dr. Ojukwu made these remarks on Friday in Abuja, during a media briefing following a debriefing session between the NHRC and a visiting delegation from the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
Describing the Committee’s fact-finding mission as a “wake-up call,” Dr. Ojukwu praised ACERWC for its efforts to protect children’s rights across Africa. “The Committee is one of the foremost organs of the African Union doing marvelous work for the rights and welfare of children,” he said.
He noted that the NHRC has a dedicated department for child rights and sees the Committee’s work as complementary. Addressing the growing concern over witchcraft allegations, he said: “Any attempt to label a child as a witch is a crime—and it often leads to even more severe violations like torture, abandonment, and homelessness.”
Dr. Ojukwu called for stronger enforcement of Nigeria’s child protection laws, particularly the Child Rights Act, and emphasized that legislation alone is not sufficient. “The real challenge now is implementation. Communities must see real action,” he said.
He urged deeper collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and human rights bodies to protect children at all levels. “This is not just a legal issue—it’s a societal one,” he added, calling for improved community-level structures, better reporting systems, and prosecution of offenders.
The ACERWC delegation, led by Executive Secretary Dr. Ayelew Getachew Asefa, commended Nigeria for permitting the investigative mission into child rights violations, particularly concerning children accused of witchcraft.
“The fact that the State Party has authorized this mission speaks volumes about its willingness to collaborate with the African Committee to strengthen the child protection systems already in place,” Dr. Ayalew stated.
The five-day mission involved consultations with government bodies, civil society organizations, and affected communities. Dr. Ayalew clarified that the findings presented were preliminary and that the final report would be submitted during the Committee’s 46th Ordinary Session.
Reiterating the importance of national responsibility, Dr. Ayalew concluded, “At the end of the day, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria that bears the primary responsibility to protect its children. Our role is to support and report.”
Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to ending the harmful and illegal practice of accusing children of witchcraft and called for urgent collective action to safeguard the rights and dignity of every Nigerian child.
