The Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) has condemned the brutal beating of a four-year-old orphan, Ukasha, by his uncle and guardian, Mai-Naira Abdullahi, in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The child was allegedly assaulted for participating in a neighborhood naming ceremony.

MARF described the incident as “an act that borders on attempted murder” and called on Governor Abdullahi Sule to intervene. The foundation urged the governor to ensure the child’s safety, investigate the abuse, and prosecute the guardian.

The group’s Executive Director, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, and Director of Strategic Development, Dr. Augustine Eigbe, stated that the assault is a gross violation of the child’s fundamental rights. They noted that this is not an isolated case, citing a similar incident in February where a student was reportedly flogged to death in a Lafia Islamic school.

MARF emphasized that normalizing brutality under the guise of discipline or religious assertion is unacceptable. The group appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other child rights advocacy groups to support Ukasha and other victims of similar abuses.

“We cannot continue to normalize brutality under the guise of discipline or religious assertion. A society that cannot protect its children cannot protect its future,” the group said.