A recent statement by Nigeria Police PRO Muyiwa Adejobi, declaring that children above 7 years old can be charged to court, has sparked significant disbelief and debate online. Amid the discussions, one comment stands out: “These same boys you are seeing are the same boys politicians are using for political thugs.” This comment highlights a troubling irony—while the law can charge young children, it often overlooks how they are exploited by adults, particularly in politics.
In Nigeria, young boys, some as young as 13, are frequently recruited for dangerous political activities. This inconsistency raises questions about accountability, as these children, who should be protected and guided, are instead caught in a system that penalizes them without addressing the adults who exploit them. The comment brings attention to a deeper issue: a need for reforms that protect children from being drawn into cycles of crime and exploitation.
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