THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

Lagos rescues teenager from sexual abuse

The Child Protection Unit of Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has rescued a 14-year-old girl, Favour Ifeanyi from sexual abuse in the hands of a supposed Uncle at Shasha, Akowonjo in Alimosho area of the State.

Favour was rescued following calls from anonymous persons to the Child Protection Unit’s hotline to inform the government of the illicit acts observed at Millennium Estate, Afonka, Shasha where Favour resides with her relatives.

While narrating her experience after the Ministry’s intervention, Favour disclosed that she had experienced series of sexual abuse by one Nelson, since accommodation problems made her move into his two-bedroom apartment with her cousin – Mrs. Eze Kelechi in 2015.

She claimed that Nelson abused her sexually for two years until she got pregnant in June 2017, adding that he also made efforts to abort the pregnancy resulting from his illicit act by persuading her to consume unprescribed drugs.

Favour said after a scan revealed that she was three months pregnant, the matter was subsequently reported to the Police following the suspects refusal to take responsibility for the pregnancy.

However, in response to the call received by the Child Protection Unit has taken custody of the girl for rehabilitation and care pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations by the Police and the State Government.

Earlier this year, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola called on members of the public to report cases of child abuse in order to prosecute perpetrators and end the menace in the society.