Minister vows perpetrators of the Port Harcourt “spiritual cleansing” will be prosecuted under the Child Rights and VAPP Acts.
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, Nigeria – Saturday, August 16, 2025 — The Federal Government has condemned the dehumanizing treatment of children subjected to a so-called “spiritual cleansing” exercise in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, vowing to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The condemnation was contained in a press statement issued on Saturday, August 16, 2025, by Mr. Jonathan Eze, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. In the statement, the Minister described the act as “barbaric, criminal, and a gross violation of the Child Rights Act.”
She stressed that the Tinubu-led administration maintains zero tolerance for any form of abuse, especially those targeting vulnerable children. “Whether by strangers, community leaders, or parents, any individual or group found culpable will be prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. This includes parents or guardians who aided or condoned the abuse,” she warned.
The Minister commended the swift intervention of the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, as well as the prompt deployment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), led by its Director-General, Hajiya Binta Bello, noting that their coordinated actions ensured the rescue and protection of the affected children.
She also acknowledged the role of vigilant citizens who recorded and exposed the abuse, emphasizing that “their courage embodies the spirit of our ‘See Something, Say Something, We Will Do Something’ campaign.” However, she urged members of the public to channel such reports directly to the Police, NAPTIP, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to guarantee swift intervention without compromising the privacy of the victims.
The rescued children are now under protective custody and are receiving comprehensive care in line with the Child Rights Act, which has been domesticated across the 36 states of the Federation.
Reaffirming the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister concluded: “We will not rest until Nigeria becomes a safe place for every child to grow, dream, and thrive. The soul of our nation depends on how we protect its future — our children.”
