STORY:

RN34052023

STORY:

An unnamed security guard of Greater Scholars International School Lekki, Lagos State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a four-year-old pupil of the school.

The child who reported the incident to her teacher was flogged by this teacher and told her not to tell anyone.

The father of the girl went to report the case to the police but the owner of the school was alleged to have brought thugs to threaten him.

The school is yet to issue a statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, has also reacted to the incident via a statement titled, “RE: Alleged defilement of a 4-Year-Old by a Security Guard at Greater Scholars Int’l School.”

“On May 3rd, 2023, we received a report of this case through our toll-free line and acted promptly by referring the child for medical and psychosocial support.

“We also alerted the Ajiwe FSU Police Division for investigation. The suspect is currently in police custody. The case would be transferred to Gender, Lagos State Police Command before it is charged to court on Monday.

We will continue to provide you with updates as the case progresses,” the agency said.
Source: dailytrust.com

SENSES (Child Safeguarding and Protection Issues):

This is a heartbreaking story, a child allegedly defiled by a person charged with the responsibility of ensuring her safety and protection.

This story raises  a number of questions which needs urgent answers. These questions are very vital to be asked by any school or Child-Focused Institution before hiring any form of security agency:

1. Is the private security company to which the school outsourced its security concerns registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission?

2. Is the private security company licenced by the Nigerian Security and the Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)?

3. Is the school aware that the licence of a private security company is a renewable instrument according to the law?

3. What particular background checks were carried out before hiring their personnel as a private security company in general and particularly as a school-focused private of security company?

4. What Child Safeguarding and Protection training did the personnel receive as people, who work and interface with children?

5. Did the school know it should ask these questions and did it actually ask the questions?

6. Did the school have a written agreement with the private security company where all of these issues are thoroughly provided for?

7. Does the school have a Child Safeguarding and Protection System,codified into a policy, broken down into processes, reviewed periodically on which every stakeholder including support staff is trained?

If the school cannot answer any of these questions in the affirmative, it would mean in definite terms that it represents everything but the best interest of the child.

STONE (Call to action):

Child Safeguarding and Protection of our precious children is serious business that must never be left to chance.

We must never overlook any detail no matter how little.

We call on all relevant stakeholders to investigate this case and ensure that this precious child gets justice within the letters of the law and be provided with any form of psychosocial support that she might require to recover from the horrific ordeal.