Edo Disowns Viral Clip of Children in Distress, Warns Against Fake News
Ministry Reaffirms Commitment to Child Protection, Praises Okpebholo’s Efforts
The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has distanced the state from a viral video showing children standing in the rain while waiting to be served food, describing the incident as both distressing and unconnected to Edo.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner, Eugenia Abdallah, the Ministry said findings from a prompt internal investigation revealed that the incident did not occur in Auchi or any part of the state. It added that while preliminary, unverified reports suggest the footage may have originated from another African country, there is no evidence linking it to Edo.
The Ministry condemned the conditions captured in the video, stressing that subjecting children to such treatment violates established child protection principles and relevant laws safeguarding their dignity and well-being.
It also cautioned individuals and organisations against exposing children to neglect or inhumane conditions, urging the public to avoid sharing unverified information capable of causing panic or damaging reputations.
The statement further commended the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, for what it described as his administration’s strong commitment to the welfare of children and vulnerable groups. According to the Ministry, ongoing policies and interventions under his leadership continue to prioritise the protection of children’s rights across the state.
The Ministry also acknowledged the contributions of Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, for her advocacy and initiatives aimed at strengthening child care and protection systems.
Reaffirming its mandate, the Ministry said it would continue to monitor and investigate cases involving child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and take necessary action against offenders within its jurisdiction.
Residents were encouraged to report any suspected cases of child abuse to the Ministry through appropriate channels for swift intervention.
