By A major step towards addressing sexual abuse among young adolescents was taken as the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), in collaboration with the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), ministries, and various organisations, convened a stakeholders’ consultative workshop in Ikeja, Lagos.
The workshop, organised by the PIC, an affiliate of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), focused on the Nigerian Survey on Gender Norms, Attitudes, Health, and Wellbeing Project.
The initiative aims to address harmful social norms affecting the health and well-being of adolescents aged 10 to 14.
The project covers five key areas: Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM); Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH); Gender-Based Violence (GBV); Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination; and Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE).
Superintendent of Corps Oluwaseun Abolurin, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos NSCDC, represented the State Commandant at the event.
He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to tackling cases of defilement and other forms of abuse affecting young adolescents.
“Our command has made several arrests concerning the five thematic areas of this project, particularly in cases of defilement involving adolescents aged 10 to 14 and above,” Abolurin stated.
One such case occurred on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, when the Lagos NSCDC arrested a 56-year-old man, Wasiu Agbaraojo, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl hawking cooked rice in the Magbon area of Lagos.
The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime without coercion and has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Abolurin stressed that the Lagos NSCDC will continue collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the success of the project and reduce the harmful impact of negative social norms on young adolescents.
The event, held on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, at Aotel Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, featured facilitators including Dr Abiola Oyebanjo, Olubusola Oni, Mr Seyi Anwo, and Dr George Olubukola. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, DSVA, corporate organisations, NGOs, CSOs, media, and community-based organisations.
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