Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Warn Against Sharing Child Abuse Videos

Summary: Honourable Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has issued a strict warning to Nigerians against downloading, reposting or circulating videos of children being abused. 

Honourable Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has issued a strict warning to Nigerians against downloading, reposting or circulating videos of children being abused. She said such actions violate the victims’ rights and deepen their trauma. This warning was stated on Sunday, September 13, 2026. 

This warning was issued following reports of the alleged brutal abuse of a 12-year-old boy, Master Ugonna Uzoma, in Aba, Abia State, and another case in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving a mother reportedly abusing her daughters. Both incidents were reportedly captured on video and circulated widely on social media platforms. 

According to the Minister, suspected cases of child abuse should be promptly reported to relevant authorities with clear evidence, rather than publicising the children’s humiliation and violating their privacy. 

“Reporting suspected abuse is an act of protection; making abusive material viral is not,” the Ministry warned. “The Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act), provide a clear legal framework for protecting children from abuse, exploitation, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and other forms of violence,” the Ministry added.

The Honourable urged Nigerians to desist from making abusive videos go viral in the name of exposing child abuse or protecting the victims.  She called on parents, schools, communities, religious and traditional institutions, and media organisations to play their roles in protecting children.

Furthermore, the Ministry pledged continued collaboration with state ministries, security agencies, the judiciary, NAPTIP, FIDA, and civil society organisations and partners to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, reporting, referral, survivor support and accountability for child abuse.