Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Akpabio Intensifies Clampdown On Child Rights NGOs; Forcefully Evacuates 127 Children From CRARN
Akpabio's enforcers, Atah Ikiddeh and Wisdom Udoka led the first raid
By Saharareporters, New York
Governor Godswill Akpabio has made good his earlier pledge to go after proprietors of orphanages for children in Akwa Ibom State accused of witchcraft. His invasion and forceful evacuation of some 200 inmates of Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) continued yesterday.
SaharaReporters recalls that Akpabio had threatened that “heads will roll” when he ordered the arrest of Sam Ikpe-Itauma and Gary Foxcroft following a news report by US-based Cable News Network (CNN) on the child witch syndrome in Akwa Ibom.
Yesterday, Mr. Wisdom Udoka, who has spearheaded the onslaught on the private homes, is reported to have used a machete he pulled out from his vehicle to force the children to comply with the evaciatopm order. Udoka claimed that failure to obtain the consent of the children should not stand in the way of the orders given by Akpabio that the orphanage should be closed down immediately.
At the CRARN site, Udoka forcefully abducted about 29 children, bringing the total number so far evacuated to 127. Mr. Udoka had earlier carried out raids accompanied by Atta Ikkideh, a UK based propagandist believed to be fronting for the governor. Traumatized by the latest naked display of force, some of the children ran into adjourning bushes to escape being abducted by Udoka.
The abducted children are being camped at the newly constructed “Security Village” in Uyo. The site was originally constructed to house council chairmen and political office holders in the state’s 31 LGAs.
Apparently in a hurry to execute his agenda against child rights activists that are perceived to have embarrassed Akpabio by drawing attention to the child witch issue, the governor seems unwilling to wait for the report and recommendations of a panel he set up in 2010 to look into the witchcraft allegations and child abuses in Akwa Ibom. That panel visited the United Kingdom two weeks ago.
Stepping Stones Nigeria Child Empowerment Foundation, another NGO affiliated with Stepping Stones UK, producers of the controversial TV documentary, suffered a similar attack from the Akwa Ibom government last week when some children being supported by the NGO were seized and taken to the security village.
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Another traumatizing
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on September 27, 2011 - 11:32.
Another traumatizing experiene for kids especially orphans who have no parents to look after their wellbeing.
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there is nothing wrong in
Submitted by diana (not verified) on May 25, 2011 - 14:30.
there is nothing wrong in supporting and caring for d children by the govt. One thing disturbing is the professionalism and best practice that is lacking in d manner this administration is handling d situation. Those tasked to care for these children...do they believe in child witchcraft? Are they trained for such responsibilities? What is the gov's motives in all of these?
Bastard Government
Submitted by Emm A (not verified) on May 23, 2011 - 04:35.
Godswill akpabio's government is primitive blood-tasty and bastard
Re; Plans for Children
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 23, 2011 - 03:42.
I quite agree with you Bala, clamping down on NGO operators is not solution to the faith of these children. Arresting and trying the pastors and parents who put these children into the lost situation should be basic. Does anybody know if the Governor has adopted the Childs Rights Act? The Act should be used as an instrument to prosecute these pastors and parents. I wonder how these children should be catered for in the village.
What
Submitted by DL (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 23:26.
What is happening in Akwa Ibom
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Delmalemasakaradin, you don't
Submitted by Jonathan (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 22:58.
Delmalemasakaradin, you don't think God will judge you for seeing the destruction and pain that Akpabio has caused in Akwa Ibom state and you refuse to speak up against it? All of you who are profiting from blood spilling and the misery caused by Akpabio will be punished by the ultimate judge. Glad that SR ignores people like you and continues to expose the destroyers of Nigeria.
Judgement day is ahead
Submitted by Sincere (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 21:59.
Akapbio and CARAN will actually be judged by these children. If Akapbio has any ambition after Government house Uyo, he should make sure he treats these children right. In a few years they will be adults who are strong enough to take back their pound of flesh and also vote. Ask IBB what he is suffering at the hands of the generation of children he maltreated with his policies. The young shall grow and the old shall die.
godswill akpabio IS
Submitted by james ibor (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:29.
godswill akpabio IS SICK,umana IS A FOOL,eunice IS A MUNUMENTAL DESASTER
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:12.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
Saharareporters indeed!!!
Submitted by Comrade memeski (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 19:11.
Am sure you guys don't have any reporter in Akwa ibom state.if you do you wouldn't be writing this tragic trash about the governor on his attempt to stop those using these children to make money...last time somebody claimed in the foreign media that child witch were being killed and buried in mass graves but yet couldn't identify the place when asked....only God will judge you liesreporters.
pls someone should count and
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 15:00.
pls someone should count and if possible photograph those children lest they are used for rituals by these devious politicians. secure village my ass!
Plans for our children
Submitted by Bala (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 14:35.
To get to the root of dis, governor pls arrest all those fraudulent pastors who have declared these children witches.second, pls arrest the parents of these children who have neglected their responsibilities. Finally, if you havn't got a decent fostering plan for these children, kindly quit this your madness
You are worst than an infidel
Submitted by Delmalemasakaradin (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 13:54.
I feel disappointed by your uncivilized comment; u talk like an illiterate; you are worst than an infidel; if you've not seen anything good and responsible in Akpabio's administration. You are a selfish fool. You dont deserve to be a Nigerian; don't judge people based on sentiments. I hate your comment; i hate the way Saharareporters present cases about Akpabio. God will judge you people.
Abusing child rights?
Submitted by Justice Umoke (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 13:08.
Are they actually abusing or protecting child rights? We must know the truth. Meanwhile, join NigerianPro.com for real business potentials with millions of Nigerians.
What next?
Submitted by obong uwana (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 09:57.
Do they Govt. Really have a programme for the kids? B4 they attacked Helen Ukpabio & supported CRARN, Ukpabio then fougth back Govt & CRARN, Govt later turns around to attack CRARN & co, and now Govt attacking de kids. If i may ask, are de kids orphans? What about their parents, what about de child Right law? This is Nigerian Movie title; The Return of Akwakpa part I, II & III.
Clueless governor
Submitted by The Law (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 08:13.
This governor & his cohorts are barbaric & lawless. I hope the EPT removes him soonest - so that these hapless children can get the proper care they deserve from a more responsible govt.
AKPABIO
Submitted by Pastor Trueword (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 07:55.
If Akpabio and his hench men can look after the children properly, support and educate them, then the Government should be left to do so.It is the primary responsibility of the Uyo State Government in any event to ensure the safety and security of the kids.Abducting and threatening children with machetes is indeed very low.The charity could set up base in another state and continue its charitable work from there. I am sure there are children in neighbouring states who are equally abused and need support
Please stop this governor
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 07:45.
We need to stop this governor now. We cannot allow this sort of evil to go in this day and age.
These people shd be thrown
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 22, 2011 - 06:01.
These people shd be thrown out of our country. This is what spoiled their society and they are bringing us the life that destroyed family and relationships in their land. They swindle people of money for NGO the documents of which are manipulated in cost. Bravo Governor. Family is the centre of our social culture and should be preserved.
