The Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Tunji Disu, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ending child marriage and protecting the rights of the girl child.
Disu, represented by DIG Kene Onwumere, Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The event was organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) and Police Officers Wives Association (POWA).
The I-G said that NPF recognised that protecting the girl child was not merely a legal obligation, but also a moral and societal responsibility.
He therefore called on parents, religious leaders, educators and other stakeholders to work together to end child marriage and ensure that the girl-child was given the opportunity to pursue her dreams.
Speaking at the event, CP Sarah Ehindero, the keynote speaker, said every person below 18 years was still a child and deserved protection under the law.
Ehindero also said that the police had a responsibility to protect children and ensure that cases of abuse were properly handled.
”Protecting the girl-child is not an act of favour. The police is not doing you a favour by protecting your rights; we are performing our statutory duties,” she said.
She identified poverty, insecurity, gender inequality, harmful cultural practices and lack of access to education as some of the factors responsible for child marriage.
She said child marriage interrupted girls’ education, exposed them to early pregnancy and health risks, as well as limited their personal and economic development.
Also speaking, Mrs. Mutiat Disu, National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), said child marriage deprived girls of education and exposed them to health risks and abuse.
Disu represented by Mrs. Zainab Mohammed, said poverty, social pressure and tradition should not be used as reasons to deny girls their rights, adding that children should be allowed to grow and discover their potential before taking on adult responsibilities.
”Marriage is for adults, not children. Let children remain children. Let girls learn, dream, grow and discover their potentials,” she said.
She emphasised that educating girls would help them make informed decisions, raise healthier families, lead institutions and contribute to the development of society.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Orvenonne Ikwen, National Coordinator of POCACOV, said the programme was organised to remind stakeholders of the need to protect girls and support them to achieve their potential.
”If we educate a girl, we empower a family. If we protect a girl, we strengthen a community,” Ikwen said, urging girls to speak out whenever they faced danger or felt unsafe.
Similarly, Rasheedat Ajibade, Captain of the Super Falcons and special guest of honour, urged girls to take their education seriously, protect their dignity and avoid pressures that could affect their future.
”You deserve to be schooled, you deserve to be safe, you deserve to be heard, and you deserve the opportunity and time to become the woman you dream of becoming,” Ajibade said.
She said the Rashida Elizabeth Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force through POCACOV, was working towards creating a safer environment where girls could receive support and protection.
