The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has issued a stern warning against engaging children below the age of 18 as house help and maltreatment of vulnerable persons.

The warning comes in the wake of the arrest of Anambra-based lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, who allegedly assaulted her 10-year-old house-help.

During the parade of the accused lawyer, Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized that the government would not tolerate child abuse, child labour, maltreatment, and other forms of domestic violence.

She declared that strict measures and severe punishment await those who engage in such inhumane treatment.

The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to implement strategies, including the domestication and enforcement of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

She specifically addressed the employment of children under 18 as house help, stating that such practices would face stringent measures.

Her words: “Thank you Mr President for the power given to me to be able to protect the rights of women and children, and I am telling Nigerians no more taking a child under 18 as house help.

“We are launching all sorts of measures to protect women and children.

“As you employ a child under 18 years, the police will not rest and I also will not rest, until we stop all these societal ills and prosecute offenders.”