Police, POWA Call for Urgent Action to End Child Marriage

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) have called for stronger action to end child marriage and protect the rights of the girl child in Nigeria.

The call was made on Monday during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child commemoration organised by the Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Vices (POCACOV), in partnership with POWA, at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

The event, held under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” brought together secondary school students from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), development partners, educators, medical practitioners, policymakers and representatives of international organisations.

Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, described the initiative as timely, stressing that protecting children’s rights was both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility.

He said investing in the rights of girls required prioritising their education, healthcare, safety, leadership opportunities and economic empowerment.

Onwumelie urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to end child marriage and ensure the protection of children within their respective areas of responsibility.

He noted that safeguarding the girl child required a collective commitment from government institutions, families, schools, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of POWA’s National President, Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, Zainab Isyaku Mohammed also called for stronger collaboration to address child marriage and other violations of girls’ rights.

She expressed concern that such harmful practices persisted despite the existence of laws aimed at protecting children, and urged stakeholders to take more decisive steps to ensure their effective implementation.

Mohammed encouraged the students at the event to take advantage of awareness and advocacy programmes to understand their rights and learn how to protect themselves against abuse and exploitation.

She warned that early marriage could have damaging consequences for the girl child, her family and the wider society, calling for urgent measures to discourage the practice.

Representatives of the FCT Secondary Education Board, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development also attended the event.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with relevant organisations and supporting community-based initiatives to promote children’s rights and protect girls from abuse, exploitation and other harmful practices.

The commemoration formed part of efforts to raise awareness of the challenges facing girls and mobilise stakeholders to create safer environments where they can access education, realise their potential and participate fully in society.