A Nigerian state has been revealed to have an increasing number of child r*pe as well as forced marriage cases.
It has been revealed that child r*pe and forced marriage is rapidly increasing in Plateau State.
This revelation was made by Ms Fidelia Setle, Assistant Director Child Welfare in Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs.
According to her, incidences of child r*pe and forced marriage were rampant in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Setle said this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Jos.
According to the NAN, the press briefing was in preparation for the formal launch of ‘Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children’ by the state.
The Assistant Director added that the incidences of physical, s*xual and emotional violence were also on the high side in the state.
“Child r*pe, forced and early marriage are very rampant in Plateau.
“We have some instances of incest, where fathers impregnate their daughters, and of some sending their daughters into early marriage.
“Physical violence is also huge in Plateau; you see people using hard objects on children in the name of discipline,” she said.
She said the rationale for launching the action on violence was to curb the menace and make the children of the state free from violence.
According to her, Wase and Mangu Local Government areas of the state would be used for the pilot scheme.
She explained that the two LGAs were selected owing to the high rate of violence against children in those localities.