Edo State Uncovers Shocking Surge In Familial Child Abuse Cases

(Nigeria Police. Photo Credit; The News Chronicle)

The Edo State Government disclosed on Thursday that between January and July 2026, over 70 cases of child s3xual abuse were documented, with more than 50 per cent perpetrated by the minors’ fathers.

A state official revealed this information during a bi-monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development stated that the abused minors ranged in age from two to ten years.

She noted that approximately half of the cases involved abuse by biological fathers, with one particularly distressing case involving a 14-year-old girl currently in state custody who is eight months pregnant by her father.

The girl’s neighbour had reported the abuse.

When questioned, the victim expressed reluctance to assist in locating her father, stating she had already lost him and pleading that he not be arrested, despite being the only person who could identify his whereabouts.

The state government expressed commitment to not merely identifying vulnerable citizens but actively protecting them.

Survivors would receive support alongside advocacy, the official stated.

Victims would receive training and access to economic advancement opportunities, with social-protection programmes delivering measurable outcomes.

On security measures, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy reiterated the government’s prohibition on motorcycle movement in Benin City, citing safety concerns.

The restriction was implemented following mounting security reports involving motorcycles used in kidnappings, r0bberies and other crimes where perpetrators transport victims to isolated locations before robbing them.

The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service addressed delays in land document processing, attributing them primarily to the discovery of fraudulent application submissions including forged survey plans, fake tax clearances and counterfeit identification documents.