As the Federal Government plans partial reopening of schools, an advocacy group against child molestation, Women of Inestimable Values (WIVs), has called on parents and schools managers to beware of paedophiles who could molest particularly girls.
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The Executive Director of the group, Mrs Blessing Okojie-Eze, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.
NAN reports that the Federal Government is planning to reopen schools for students in primary and secondary schools, after a forced holiday occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Okojie-Eze said that all hands must be on deck to prevent defilement and rape as school would reopen.
The executive director said that the country recorded increased cases of rape and child molestations during its lockdown.
According to her, there is the need to ensure that schoolchildren are not vulnerable as they resume school.
“It is important to note that coronavirus outbreak in the country propelled states and Federal Goverment to shut schools, allowing students to stay at home for the containment of the virus.
“Goverment has now directed students in Primary 6, JS3, and SS3 to resume to write exams.
“We must realise that paedophiles are hanging around looking for kids to abuse.
“As schools educate children on precautionary measures to stay safe, parents need to emphasise them and the need to comply with specified schedules.
“It is important that parents collaborate with schools on measures to protect these students against falling victims to paedophiles,” she said.
The executive director also appealed to schools to make adequate arrangements against COVID-19 infection before resumption.
She urged schools to put in place preventive measures to keep schoolchildren safe.
According to her, students require special attention against the virus.
She warned that poor precautionary measures in schools could result in infections.
“Even with lockdown, the number of coronavirus cases increased and children are among the vulnerable; so, school administrators and proprietors must put necessary preventive measures in place,” Okojie-Eze said.
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