Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Civil society organisations, child protection advocates, and community groups in Cross River State have expressed shock and anger over the reported arrest, abuse, and physical mistreatment of street-connected children by officials of the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) during an operation in the state capital. The incident, said to have occurred on March 19, 2026, has drawn strong condemnation from rights defenders who argue that the actions, if confirmed, violate established child protection laws and fundamental human rights.
According to eyewitness accounts and child welfare advocates, the operation targeted children at Mary Slessor Roundabout, a busy area in Calabar. Volunteers from community groups received urgent alerts that CUDA officers were rounding up street children. When the Street Priests, a local child advocacy organisation, arrived at the scene, they encountered terrified children fleeing, who reported that their peers had been forcibly taken.
Advocates later followed a vehicle believed to be transporting the children to a location near the Zoo Garden. They found children bound and lying on the ground, visibly distressed, and allegedly being beaten with machetes by officials. When Street Priests staff attempted to intervene and identify themselves as child welfare workers, they reportedly faced aggression, with at least two staff members physically assaulted. Despite the confrontation, the team managed to secure the release of five children who had been tied up.
The Cross River State chapter of the Child Protection Network (CPN) condemned the alleged conduct as unlawful and a severe violation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law, 2023, which prohibits all forms of violence against children and requires that minors in need of care or in conflict with the law be treated with dignity and due process. The CPN also criticised the assault on Street Priests staff, describing it as an attack on child rights defenders and a threat to civil society actors working to protect vulnerable populations.
The CPN has called on Governor Bassey Otu to order an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident, ensure that those responsible are held accountable, and direct state ministries to provide psychological support, medical care, and rehabilitation services for the affected children. They also urged national bodies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission, to intervene to prevent future occurrences and ensure justice.
This incident has highlighted the broader challenges facing street children in Calabar, where many live without family support, education, or access to basic services. Critics argue that punitive interventions fail to address underlying causes such as poverty, family dysfunction, and social exclusion, and stress that sustainable solutions should focus on rehabilitation, reintegration, and protective services.
Officials from CUDA, including Executive Secretary Ayi Emola, had not provided public comments or clarifications regarding the operation or treatment of the children. The incident has reignited discussions among civil society and human rights advocates about balancing public order initiatives with child protection imperatives.
Child rights defenders have pledged to monitor developments closely and ensure that authorities uphold legal and ethical standards to protect vulnerable children. Many advocates hope that this episode will lead to more humane policies, better resourced rehabilitation programs, and stronger protections for children in Cross River State and beyond.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments