Rights group says police are responsible for crimes against children

Ayodele Johnson 22:57 - 22 June 2016

Four suspected cultists were caught following a raid by the police.

The rights group spoke against the abuse of children in the society in a press statement sent to the Cross River Commissioner of Police.

Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, a Calabar based child’s rights organisation has blamed the Nigeria Police for failure to prosecute those who torture children on suspicion of witchcraft.

Mr. James Ibor, the Executive Secretary of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, wrote a petition to the Cross River Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, stating this.

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The petition, which was submitted on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, reads, “We act for the best interest and welfare of the many helpless children in Cross River State who are victims of criminal witchcraft branding and stigmatisation.”

“May it please you to know that most of these cases have been reported to the police but the police are often indifferent.”

“We are by this letter most humbly calling for your urgent intervention, investigation and necessary action in the above named cases, especially with a view to bringing the culprits to book as required by law.”

Ozi-Obeh, who claimed not to have received the petition however promised to take necessary action to address the concerns of the rights group.