In a bold and stirring call for justice, the Gnosis Help Foundation galvanized widespread public support in Lagos with a major awareness walk aimed at confronting the persistent scourge of child sexual abuse. The event, themed “Enough is Enough: Let’s End Child Rape,” brought together legal practitioners, civil society advocates, school children, and concerned citizens in a united front against the violation of Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
Commencing at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Secretariat in Ikeja and culminating at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, the walk served as both a protest and a demand for systemic accountability. The turnout was significant — hundreds of school children from across Lagos State marched alongside legal professionals and non-governmental organizations dedicated to child rights and protection.
At the forefront of the initiative was Olumide Kayode Omosebi, legal practitioner and founder of the Gnosis Help Foundation, who articulated the devastating reality facing many children. With deeply troubling data indicating that one in every three children is likely to experience molestation, defilement, or sexual harassment before adulthood, the march underscored the urgency of the crisis.
Participants highlighted how countless cases of child abuse are often trivialized or dismissed at police stations, frequently labeled as domestic or family matters. This systemic minimization strips victims of their voice, reduces their trauma to inconvenience, and emboldens abusers. The walk sought to dismantle this culture of silence and complicity by pushing for such cases to be handled by specialized units within the Nigeria Police Force — namely, the Family Support and Gender Units — where sensitivity and professionalism can be better ensured.
Among the legal voices present, were Toyin Taiwo- Ojo, the General Secretary of the African Women Lawyers Association( AWLA) and Abiye Tam-George the immediate past Vice- Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, who resounded condemnation of institutional failure. From law enforcement to the judiciary, the walk spotlighted how neglect, apathy, and corruption have created a dangerous environment where perpetrators are protected and justice is routinely denied. The message was clear: child sexual abuse is a grievous crime that should no longer be negotiated behind closed doors or buried under the weight of social stigma and family secrecy.
A strong call was made to law enforcement to reject any further out-of-court settlements that shield offenders from prosecution. Legal advocates asserted that accountability must not only fall on abusers, but also on those who conspire to obscure their actions, including family members who pressure victims to remain silent or withdraw complaints.
The rallying cry extended to the wider public. Parents were urged to heighten their vigilance and take preventive steps in safeguarding their children. Communities were called upon to report suspected cases rather than look the other way. There was also a challenge to the judiciary to apply the full force of the Child Rights Act and no longer act as passive observers in a crisis that continues to rob countless children of their safety, dignity, and future.
A significant moment during the event occurred at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, where the Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, received the group. In response to the overwhelming testimonies and demands presented by legal professionals, children, and parents alike, he pledged to issue an official directive to all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers across the state. This directive would mandate that all cases of child sexual abuse be treated as urgent and high-priority crimes, and any attempts to suppress or settle such cases informally would no longer be tolerated.
