The Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) has revealed that millions of children suffer violence every year in Nigeria as approximately six out of every 10 children under the age of 18 experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before they get to 18.
President Muhammadu Buhari, has however, pledged to address the development.
The survey found that one in two children experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in 10 boys experience, sexual violence, one in five boys experience emotional violence.
The survey was conducted by the National Population Commission (NPC) .
To mobilise Nigeria to respond to the survey findings, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Year of Action to End Violence against Children alongside the key findings of the Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) yesterday in Abuja.
Announcing the launch of the year-long campaign to end violence against children, the President, who was represented by the Head of Service, Danladi Kifasi said, “these findings call for an urgent call to action not only for the government, but also for civil society organisations, religious and traditional groups, the media, the private sector, communities, parents and families to come together to tackle violence against children.”
He pledged full commitment of the government of Nigeria during the campaign and beyond to tackle violence against children.
Presenting his speech, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, disclosed that between January and August 2015, a total of 133 cases of child violence had been recorded.
“In Nigeria, police record shows that between January and August 2015, a total of 133 cases of child violence, involving 141 victims were reported and out of the figure, 112 were conclusively investigated, 21 currently under investigation, 158 suspects were  arrested, while 118 offenders were charged to court.”