A child rights advocacy organisation has called for urgent legal and child protection intervention following an incident involving a 13-year-old boy and a 43-year-old man in Edondon Village, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to a statement issued by Aaron Egot, Executive Director of the Emerging Genderplus Outreach Team, the incident occurred on August 6, 2026, after an encounter reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation.
The statement alleged that the disagreement began when the man confronted the teenager for allegedly failing to greet him in accordance with local custom. During the exchange, the boy reportedly responded with the word “waka,” which was perceived as disrespectful. The confrontation subsequently developed into a physical altercation.
According to the account, the boy allegedly produced a penknife during the struggle and inflicted serious injuries on the man. The victim was rushed to a medical facility, where he was later confirmed dead.
Child Rights Advocates Call for Due Process
The advocacy group disclosed that members of the community intend to hand the minor over to the police. However, it urged authorities to ensure that any action taken complies with Nigeria’s child protection and juvenile justice laws.
The organisation appealed for:
- Strict adherence to juvenile justice procedures during any police process.
- Safe, child-appropriate protective custody instead of detention in regular police cells.
- Immediate access to legal representation and psychosocial support for the minor.
The Executive Director noted that the teenager is considered vulnerable and reportedly lacks adequate adult supervision, while also highlighting concerns about his exposure to communal conflicts.
Call for Child-Centred Justice
The organisation emphasized that while the incident should be thoroughly investigated, the child’s legal rights and welfare must be protected throughout the process in accordance with applicable child rights legislation.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.
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