The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over increasing cases of child abandonment in Gombe state.

Ali Alola-Alfinti, the public relations officer of NHRC in Gombe, expressed the worry in an interview with reporters on Monday.

Mr Alola-Alfinti said the cases of abuse against children, including child abandonment, recorded by the commission in the state were alarming.

According to him, from January to June this year, at least 130 cases of human rights violations were received by the commission in the state.

He said of the 130 cases of reported human rights violations, 48 were cases of child abandonment, representing 36.9 per cent of breaches reported in six months.

According to him, the rate at which children are abandoned is disturbing and requires urgent attention of all stakeholders in the state.

“We noticed that poverty and lack of commitment and care from fathers are major reasons for child abandonment in the state.

“It is not right to have children and not cater for their needs as parents.

“We are appealing to stakeholders to tackle this problem in the interest of our children,” he said.

Mr Alola-Alfinti explained that many parents claimed ignorance of their children’s rights as enshrined in the constitution, which includes the right to education, welfare and well-being.

In tackling the menace, he said the commission sensitised key stakeholders to the dangers and consequences of child abandonment.

He urged stakeholders to carry out more sensitisation programmes to discourage the trend, given its psychological impact on children. 

(NAN)