Witch Craft: Envoy Makes Case For Kids

Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK on Thursday called for the protection of children from all forms of abuses including stigmatisation from witchcraft.

Tafida made the appeal in London when he received members of the Akwa Ibom State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Witchcraft Accusations and Child Abuses led by its Chairman, Justice Godwin Abraham.

He said that there was the need to give priority to issues that concern children and ensure that their rights were adequately protected under the law.

Tafida, who noted that the issue of witchcraft stigmatisation was not limited to Akwa Ibom alone, urged other state governments to put in place measures that would address child abuse and molestation.

“It is not only in Akwa Ibom State that you have the problem of child abuse.

“ I hope that the outcome of the panel will ginger other state governments to address similar issues in our society,” Tafida said.

The envoy recalled that the Nigerian mission had registered its protest with the BBC when it first aired the documentary on child witches in Akwa Ibom state.

“I am glad that Gov. Godswill Akpabio has decided to take the issue a step higher by setting up this panel. It was long overdue,” he stressed.

Tafida, while congratulating Akpabio on his re-election, also commended him for bringing positive change and development to the state.