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…say Nigerian children face growing threats of cyberbullying, grooming and oline exploitation

By Gloria Ikibah

Child rights advocates have called on the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of a bill aimed at protecting Nigerian children from online abuse, cyberbullying, exploitation and other digital threats.

The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Friday, where campaigners, legal experts and education stakeholders expressed concern over the increasing dangers facing children in the digital space.

At the centre of the discussions was the proposed “Child Online Access Protection and Online Violence Against Nigerian Child Bill”, which seeks to criminalise various forms of online abuse targeting minors and establish stronger safeguards for children using the internet.

The proposed legislation also seeks to introduce a 0.02 per cent levy on the assessable profits of search engines, telecommunications service providers, artificial intelligence companies, gaming platforms, streaming services and social media application vendors operating in Nigeria to support implementation of the law.

The call comes against the backdrop of a 2018 UNICEF report which revealed that a new child goes online every half second globally. The report also highlighted the scale of the challenge in Nigeria, where about 90 per cent of children are exposed to online risks, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content and exploitation.

Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Lawyers Without Borders in Nigeria, Ms Angela Uzoma, said the proposed legislation will have a direct impact on the lives of millions of Nigerian children.

According to her, widespread access to digital devices has increased children’s exposure to online dangers, making legal protection more urgent than ever.

She said: “So every Nigerian, whether you are a biological parent or not, whether you are an aunt or an uncle, whether you are a child or an adult, you should be interested and should support this bill.

“When we talk about online harms that children are exposed to, it ranges from issues around cyber bullying, grooming, child exposure to sexualual violence, sexual abuse.

“We have children being groomed, we have children, being threatened online. We have children, we have predators, pretending to be children and targeting children.

“We have sextortion going on, children are being tricked into exposing intimate parts of their bodies, to adults, who are hiding and pretending to be children.

“So everyone in Nigeria should be interested in having joining their voices to call on the Nigerian Senate to pass this bill.”

Uzoma noted that nearly 90 per cent of Nigerian children now have access to digital devices either at home, in school or through friends, exposing them to a broad range of online threats and abuse.

Also speaking, Coordinator of the General Unit at the National Assembly, Ms Christiana Eguma, said the bill was designed to improve online safety for children in an increasingly digital world.

She observed that many children access the internet without adequate supervision, making them vulnerable to harmful content and online predators.

Eguma explained that the legislation would also place responsibility on digital platforms to proactively prevent abuse and harmful content targeting children.

“It puts accountability on the platform themselves so that they can take responsibility of putting down some of these negative things early enough.

“It seeks to ensure that from the parents to the school, to the children, everybody is responsible enough to protect children online.

“So the bill seeks to ensure children are protected from the adult, and from even their own peers that are bullies, and we are calling on the National Assembly to pass the bill so that the Nigerian children can be protected from all harm,” she said.

On his part, education advocate Mr Oluwasesan Ifegbesan stressed that safeguarding children online should be a collective responsibility.

He called on parents, educators and the wider public to remain vigilant and actively guide children on the safe use of the internet and social media platforms.

Stakeholders at the roundtable agreed that while technology offers significant opportunities for learning and development, stronger legal protections and greater public awareness are needed to shield children from growing online threats.

They expressed optimism that the proposed legislation, if passed, would strengthen Nigeria’s child protection framework and help create a safer digital environment for millions of young internet users across the country.

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The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Johnson Suleman, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider stepping down if his administration is unable to effectively tackle the growing insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across Nigeria.

The outspoken cleric made the remarks while addressing members of his congregation during a church service, where he expressed concern over the persistent wave of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in different parts of the country.

Suleman argued that the government’s approach to combating insecurity must shift from targeting only armed attackers to identifying and dismantling the networks of individuals allegedly financing and sustaining terrorist activities.

According to him, the true challenge facing Nigeria is not merely the criminals carrying out attacks but the powerful sponsors who provide them with resources, weapons, logistics, and financial support.

The preacher stressed that any serious effort to defeat terrorism must begin with exposing and prosecuting those behind the scenes who enable extremist groups to operate.

“The sponsors of terrorism are the real problem confronting the nation. The government should focus on them. If the President cannot deal decisively with those people, then he should resign and allow someone else to take over the responsibility,” Suleman declared.

He further claimed that many of the young men currently involved in violent activities are products of extremist networks that have existed for years and were allegedly allowed to expand unchecked.

According to him, some of the individuals now seen carrying sophisticated weapons were children during the early stages of insurgent activities and have since grown into active participants in criminal and terrorist operations.

Suleman maintained that arresting or eliminating foot soldiers alone would not end insecurity, insisting that authorities must trace and neutralize those who recruit, fund, and arm violent groups.

“The young boys carrying assault rifles today did not emerge overnight. There are people empowering them, financing them, and providing the resources that sustain their activities. Until those sponsors are identified and brought to justice, the problem will persist,” he said.

Despite his criticism of the government’s handling of the security situation, the cleric praised Nigeria’s security institutions, describing them as highly professional and capable of confronting the country’s challenges when adequately supported.

Drawing from his international travels, Suleman said he has confidence in the abilities of the Nigerian military, the police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), arguing that the country possesses competent personnel capable of delivering results.

“I have visited many countries around the world, and I can confidently say that the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the DSS rank among some of the finest security institutions globally. The issue is not necessarily a lack of capacity but the willingness to take bold action against those driving insecurity,” he stated.

The cleric emphasized that stronger political resolve is required to dismantle criminal and terrorist networks operating across the country. He warned that insecurity would continue to worsen unless those allegedly sponsoring violence are exposed, arrested, and prosecuted under the law.Politics

His comments come at a time when many Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the security situation, particularly in regions affected by recurring kidnappings, terrorist attacks, communal violence, and banditry.

Citizens, civil society groups, religious leaders, and political stakeholders have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at restoring safety and public confidence.

Suleman’s remarks are likely to add to the growing national conversation on security and governance, as pressure mounts on the Tinubu administration to deliver lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.

The cleric concluded by urging the government to stop treating insecurity as a routine criminal issue and instead confront what he described as the broader network allegedly sustaining terrorist operations throughout Nigeria.

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Popular US actor James Handy, known for his roles in films including Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick, has been stabbed to death at his home in Los Angeles, police have said.

Handy, who was 81, was found unconscious in the front garden of his home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday with several stab wounds to the chest.

Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Officers responded to a report of “unknown trouble” after a caller dialled 911 and told police: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Handy was born in New York and appeared in a string of films and TV shows over six decades, often as a supporting character or for a small number of episodes.

Despite rarely being the leading star, Handy racked up a long string of credits, including NYPD Blue, K-9, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Logan, Alias, Castle, NCIS, The West Wing, Arachnophobia, The X Files, and Murder, She Wrote.

His most recent film role was in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, in which he played Jimmy, a bartender who works with the character played by Jennifer Connelly, Tom Cruise’s love interest.

Paying tribute, entertainment writer Jay Bobbin said he was “heartbroken to learn about the passing of a superb character actor”.

Writer and producer Don Winslow, who created the 2001 procedural drama UC: Undercover, in which Handy appeared, described Handy as a “terrific actor”.

“We were honoured to have him on UC: Undercover in a recurring role,” Winslow said. “His performances were always special.”

Following Handy’s death, the LAPD said Gledhill “flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for”.

“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” a statement added.

“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public.”

After his arrest, Gledhill was transported to Van Nuys Jail and booked for one count of murder, with his bail set at $2m (£1.5m).