Behind the familiar rhythm of everyday life in Plateau State, a disturbing reality is unfolding.

Some children are being sent into mining sites at ages when they should be playing. Others are staying on the streets late into the night, some reportedly becoming involved in substance abuse. Some are beaten, denied food, forced into hard labour or sexually abused in the very homes where they are expected to be protected.

For the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Plateau State, these stories are not isolated. They arrive week after week.

The network’s Plateau State Coordinator, Sandra Chikan, puts the scale of the problem at 9 out of 10. During her interaction with PLABOMA

“On a weekly basis, the average number of cases is not less than three,” she said, explaining that this represents only cases reported through the network’s helplines.

And there could be many more.

Abuse Goes Beyond Conflict

Child abuse in Plateau State is often associated with conflict and displacement. But according to Chikan, the danger facing children goes much deeper and exists within ordinary communities.

She said children in mining communities are being exposed to artisanal mining, with reports involving children as young as three and four years old.

Then there are children who should still be under close parental supervision but are reportedly found outside until 1 a.m. or 3 a.m.

“What are they doing?” Chikan asked.

According to her, some are becoming involved in substance abuse, while others are being used to carry, sell or peddle drugs.

The vulnerability does not end there.

Children seeking work can also find themselves exposed to traffickers, particularly when they are pushed or encouraged to leave home in search of employment without adequate protection.

Some of the Worst Abuse Happens at Home

Perhaps the most troubling part of the situation is that for some children, danger is not somewhere far away.

It is home.

Chikan said the network receives reports of children living with uncles, aunties, guardians and other caregivers being subjected to violence and exploitation.

She recalled a recent case involving a girl whose hand was broken by her guardian.

The case, she said, was particularly disturbing because the person involved had reportedly been brought to the attention of authorities before.

There are also children working as domestic helps who are beaten, denied food or forced to work for long hours.

Chikan recalled the case of a boy who was reportedly sleeping in a Keke, being beaten regularly and not receiving enough food.

She also spoke of underage girls working from morning until night in restaurants, sometimes without being properly fed.

“Neglect is high,” she said.

Some parents, she added, leave their children without adequate supervision, exposing them to environments where they can become involved in harmful activities.

And in some communities, she said, children are being preyed upon by sexual offenders.

What Happens When a Child Is Reported?

This is where the Child Protection Network says its work begins.

CPN is not a law-enforcement agency. Instead, it brings together government institutions, NGOs and other organisations involved in protecting children.

When a child is reported, the network works through its referral system to connect the case with the appropriate agency.

If a child needs to be rescued, the network can contact the relevant authorities. If the child needs medical attention, members help facilitate access to healthcare. If trauma is involved, counselling and psychosocial support can be provided.

And when a child cannot immediately return home, the network works with shelters to provide temporary protection.

Chikan said that in the last quarter alone, the network handled 36 cases, with 85 per cent recording positive justice outcomes.

For the children involved, she explained, justice can mean different things.

It could mean being reunited with a safe family.

It could mean being removed from an abusive home.

It could mean receiving medical treatment, returning to school or getting counselling.

For others, it means staying in a safe shelter until a suitable family or alternative care arrangement is found.

A Network Fighting to Keep Cases From Disappearing

One of CPN’s biggest roles is ensuring that reported cases do not simply disappear.

From the moment an allegation is reported, the network works with relevant agencies and follows up on the case.

That can involve contacting authorities, arranging shelter, supporting medical treatment, providing counselling, helping families care for vulnerable children and monitoring the progress of interventions.

But Chikan says the network needs more resources to do more.

Emergency cases can happen at any time, including in the middle of the night, when finding a safe place for a child becomes an immediate challenge.

CPN currently has only a small emergency space at its office and relies heavily on partner shelters.

The network therefore wants stronger child protection structures across Plateau State, including more local government child protection committees and school-based child rights clubs.

The Bigger Picture

The stories coming through the Child Protection Network paint a picture of children facing threats in places where they should be safest — at home, in communities, in workplaces and even in environments where they should be learning.

For CPN, protecting these children requires more than rescuing them after abuse has occurred.

It requires communities to recognise abuse early.

It requires children to know their rights.

It requires parents and caregivers to understand that violence is not discipline.

It requires institutions to respond quickly when a child speaks.

And above all, it requires society to stop looking away.

Because behind every case number is a child — a child who may have been beaten, neglected, exploited, trafficked or abused, and who is depending on someone to notice.

For the Child Protection Network, that is the reason the work must continue: to make sure that when a child cries for help, someone is there to listen, respond and protect them.

CPN HOTLINE:

MTN 09033309421, 09033441242.

AIRTEL 08125802205, 08123911883.

Email: cpnplateaustate@gmail.com

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has summoned the State Security Council for an urgent review of the recent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent further killings and bring those behind the violence to justice.

The meeting was held on Wednesday at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, amid renewed concerns over attacks on communities and security personnel in different parts of Plateau State.

The council brought together the Deputy Governor, heads of security and law enforcement agencies, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and other senior government officials.

Discussions centred on recent security incidents, emerging threats and the need to improve the state’s response.

Intelligence gathering and sharing, preventive operations, cooperation among security agencies and the protection of lives, property and economic activities were also considered.

The meeting came shortly after a series of deadly incidents, including the attack in Mangu Local Government Area that left dozens of residents dead.

The Plateau State Government had earlier condemned the August attack on Bin Mper community in Kombun District, Mangu LGA, and directed security agencies to increase surveillance and patrols in vulnerable communities.

Speaking after Wednesday’s security meeting, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, explained that Governor Mutfwang regularly brings security chiefs together to assess developments and identify areas requiring stronger action.

He said the latest meeting was necessary because of the recent security breaches recorded in the state.

“Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is the Chief Security Officer of the State, and once in a while, we review the security situation. We assess the security situation in order to take steps to improve on what we already have,” Faniyan said.

The police commissioner also addressed the Mangu incident, admitting that the attack occurred despite preparations and deployment by security personnel.

“The Mangu case was very unfortunate. We prepared and deployed, but somehow, such incidents still occurred. That is part of why His Excellency called this meeting so that such incidents must not happen again,” he said.

Police Confirm Arrests

Faniyan disclosed that security agencies had already arrested some suspects in connection with major attacks recorded in Plateau within the past month.

He said the investigation had not been concluded, stressing that other individuals believed to be involved were still being pursued.

According to him, the investigation is being conducted jointly with other security agencies at both the state and national levels.

“We have some arrests; investigation is ongoing. We are not investigating in isolation. We are collaborating with all the other agencies up to the national level. We are still going after some suspects, and we are doing a lot of technological analysis,” Faniyan said.

The commissioner said the use of technology would support efforts to analyse available intelligence and trace those suspected to have participated in the attacks.

He also called on residents to provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements and activities in their communities.

Mangu Attack

The security council meeting followed the deadly attack recorded in Mangu earlier in August.

The attack on communities in the area caused widespread concern, with reports putting the number of people killed at more than 20.

The violence also forced residents to flee their homes, while houses and other property were destroyed.

The incident renewed concerns about the ability of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities, particularly areas that have experienced violence in the past.

The state government subsequently urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals while security agencies worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and pursue those responsible.

Plateau has also continued to face security challenges in other parts of the state.

In Riyom Local Government Area, suspected gunmen reportedly attacked Tanjol and Tarai communities in Jol District on August 30.

Two security operatives were killed during the incident, while their rifles were reportedly taken away.

Mutfwang Pushes Regional Security Cooperation

The latest meeting also comes days after Mutfwang participated in the 2026 North-Central Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State.

At the August 31 summit, the governor called for a coordinated approach to insecurity across the North-Central region.

He argued that states could no longer rely solely on individual responses because criminal movements and security threats often cross state boundaries.

Mutfwang said the region needed stronger intelligence sharing and joint operations among states and security agencies.

He also disputed the tendency to describe every attack in Plateau as a farmer-herder clash, saying some attackers were believed to come from outside the state.

The governor’s position at the summit further highlighted the need for cooperation between Plateau and neighbouring states to identify movements of armed groups before they reach vulnerable communities.

President Bola Tinubu, represented at the summit by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, also called for stronger cooperation between governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and communities.

The President said military operations alone would not be enough to achieve lasting peace in the region.

Security Agencies Receive Fresh Directives

Following Wednesday’s meeting, the police said security agencies had received fresh instructions to strengthen preventive operations across Plateau.

Faniyan said the focus would be on gathering useful intelligence, improving cooperation between agencies and acting before threats develop into full-scale attacks.

He assured residents that security personnel would continue efforts to protect communities and prevent criminal elements from undermining peace in the state.

The commissioner further urged residents not to keep information about suspicious activities to themselves, stressing that timely reports could assist security agencies in responding before an attack occurs.