The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has strongly condemned the alleged torture and brutalization of a young boy, Master Chiziterem, by his guardian, describing the incident as barbaric, inhuman and a disturbing reflection of the growing culture of impunity against vulnerable children in society.
In a statement issued on Friday in Awka, the state capital, and signed by the Chairman of the organization, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, and the Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah, the rights group expressed deep concern over what it described as the widespread but often unreported cases of child abuse across Anambra State.
The organization lamented that many victims of abuse continue to suffer in silence while neighbours, relatives and community members who witness such acts often fail to report them.
According to the CLO, the case of Master Chiziterem highlights the urgent need for citizens to speak out against injustice and protect vulnerable members of society.
The statement, themed, “We Are Murderers the Moment We See Evil and Fail to Speak Against It,” stressed that silence in the face of wrongdoing only emboldens perpetrators and enables further violations of human rights.
“Evil does not triumph because of the strength of the wicked. Evil triumphs because good people choose comfort over courage and convenience over conscience,” the organization stated.
The group called on Ndi Anambra and Nigerians in general to reject all forms of child abuse, exploitation, intimidation, brutality and other violations of human dignity.
It urged citizens to promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and related offences to relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Gender and Child Protection Unit, the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission and credible civil society organizations.
The CLO further appealed for the protection of whistleblowers, noting that timely intervention could save vulnerable children from life-threatening situations.
Commending individuals and organizations that intervened in Master Chiziterem’s case, the rights group praised the courage of those who exposed the alleged abuse and prevented the incident from being swept under the carpet.
The organization specifically acknowledged the efforts of the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living Initiative; Senator Stella Oduah; the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze; and Chief Tony Nwa Umeh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tony Umeh Oil and Gas, for their support and intervention.
According to the CLO, their contributions, alongside those of other well-meaning Nigerians, provided the victim with medical care, financial assistance, comfort and renewed hope.
The organization also commended Hon. Lyda Ikpeazu and Hon. Mimi Azikiwe for their humanitarian intervention on behalf of an indigent woman, Mrs. Ujunwa Chinecherem, who recently gave birth at Pieta Hospital in Awada but was unable to settle her medical bills.
The rights group described the gesture as an example of selfless service and compassion that should be emulated across society.
Meanwhile, the CLO called on law enforcement agencies and relevant government institutions to ensure that anyone found culpable in the abuse of Master Chiziterem is prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
The organization also urged schools, churches and community leaders to intensify public sensitization on child protection and establish effective reporting mechanisms to prevent future abuses.
In addition, it called on government authorities to strengthen child protection units and provide adequate shelters and support systems for abused children.
“No child should be tortured in the name of discipline or guardianship. Anambra must be a safe home for every child,” the statement said.
The CLO described the incident as a wake-up call for society, warning that sustainable development cannot be achieved while children continue to suffer abuse and neglect.
The organization urged citizens to break the culture of silence surrounding child abuse and join efforts to protect vulnerable children and uphold justice.
“Let us break the culture of silence. Let us break the chain of impunity. Let us save the next child,” the statement concluded.
