Outrage Over Alleged Flogging and Detention of Street Children by CUDA Officials in Calabar
Civil society organizations and child rights advocates in Cross River State have expressed strong condemnation following allegations that officials of the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) arrested, tortured, and flogged street children in Calabar. The incident, reported to have occurred on March 19, 2026, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Disturbing Details of the Incident
According to reports, CUDA officials rounded up children at the Mary Slessor Roundabout in Calabar and transported them to the Zoo Garden. There, the children were allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment, including being tied up and flogged with machetes. Godwin O’Hara, Executive Director of Street Priests, described the scene as deeply disturbing after his organization received a distress call about the operation.
"We traced the vehicle conveying the children to the Zoo Garden. What we found was disturbing. The children were tied, lying on the ground and crying, while officials were flogging them with machetes," O’Hara alleged in an interview with The Guardian. He added that when his team attempted to intervene, they faced hostility and physical assault from the officials, with one colleague being slapped and another hit in the mouth.
Civil Society Response and Legal Violations
The Child Protection Network (CPN), Cross River State Chapter, issued a statement on March 24, describing the alleged actions of CUDA officials as barbaric, unlawful, and a gross violation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law, 2023. The law explicitly prohibits all forms of violence against children and mandates that minors be treated with dignity and due process.
"No government agency or official has the right to inflict cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment on children. Such actions undermine the principles of justice, child protection and good governance," the CPN statement read. The network also condemned the alleged assault on Street Priests staff, calling it an attack on frontline child rights defenders.
Calls for Action and Accountability
In response to the incident, CPN has called on Governor Bassey Otu to order an immediate investigation and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted. The group urged the Ministries of Women Affairs, and Social Welfare and Community Development to prioritize the matter by providing:
- Psychosocial support for the affected children
- Medical care and rehabilitation services
- Legal assistance to ensure justice is served
Additionally, CPN appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, National Human Rights Commission, and other stakeholders to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence. The network reiterated its commitment to monitoring the case and enforcing the Child Rights Law, insisting on justice for the victims and an end to impunity against vulnerable children.
At the time of reporting, the Executive Secretary of CUDA, Mr. Ayi Emola, had not responded to calls or messages seeking comment on the allegations. The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about the treatment of street children and the need for stronger protections under Nigerian law.
