In response to the Nigeria Police PRO’s statement about charging children over 7 years old, another commenter wrote, “In the north, they consider children from 8 years upward adults. I’m very much in support of what the federal government is doing—they are all adults.” This comment touches on regional differences in views on childhood and adulthood in Nigeria, suggesting that even very young children can be treated as adults legally and socially.
However, labeling children as adults ignores their developmental needs and vulnerability, especially in legal and criminal contexts. While cultural perspectives on maturity vary, the law should protect young children, recognizing that they lack the judgment and life experience to fully understand the consequences of their actions. Treating children as adults in the justice system could lead to harmful outcomes, reinforcing cycles of disadvantage rather than fostering rehabilitation and growth.
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