A Policy Report on the State of Remand Homes in Nigeria

By ERU

Investigative Journalist Ejiro Umukoro‘s report on “Broken Boys and Broken Girls” published by the Pulitzer Centre for Crisis Reporting (USA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sparked a national conversation with global visibility.

This investigative report culminated in the publication of DISTORTION which has been approved by the Delta State Government, through its Ministry of Education, as a recommended Literature of study for schools . The powerful and incisive stories in “DISTORTION” provide a gripping portrayal of the crisis faced by street children and the dire need for proper, legally recognized orphanages.”

Four years later in 2024, we’re facing a crisis of runaway street children, exploited by a society and government that seem unable to care for its most vulnerable citizens.

This policy report by LightRay Media sheds light on the failures of the Nigerian government, including the Senators, House of Representatives, Local Government Councils, State Governments, and Ministries of Basic and Secondary School Education. The deplorable conditions in remand homes, which are meant to keep children off the streets, have failed to protect the very children who will lead the country tomorrow.

The incident of minors being held in adult prisons across Nigeria, from Lagos to Abuja, as seen observed in the recent outburst from a social media opinion influencer VeryDarkMan serves as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action. According to BusinessDay report, “The minors harvested from Kano, Adamawa, other States in the North, and Abuja, for waving Russian flag during their agitation against bad governance, and the increasing hardship in the country, were expected to bail themselves with N10 million each, and have senior civil servants guarantee they would not run away. They needed N710 million to get out of detention.”

In the light of recent compliancy in religious quarters, it is unacceptable that religious institutions are contributing to the problem by not providing shelter for these vulnerable children. The remand homes need reform now both as a shelter to protect minors without guardians but also a buffer from psychological exposure to trauma.

NAPTIP’s limited presence, with shelters in only eight states across Nigeria, is a disservice to victims of gender-based violence and attempted femicide. The VAPP Act and Child Rights Laws clearly state that every child matters, and it’s time we take collective action to protect them. No child should be referred to as “house boy” or “house girl” – they deserve dignity and respect.

A call for the speedy renovation and upgrading of remand homes, as well as better treatment of our children, to reduce the number of runaways and street children across Nigeria is the only course of action going forward.

Introduction – A Model Remand Home

Remand homes in Nigeria are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for children who are awaiting trial or have been convicted of a crime. However, investigations have revealed that many remand homes in Nigeria are plagued by overcrowding, poor living conditions, and inadequate access to education and healthcare.

Methodology:

This investigative report is based on interviews with officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Education, as well as with staff and residents of remand homes in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano. Additionally, this report draws on data from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Findings:

• Overcrowding: Many remand homes in Nigeria are severely overcrowded, with some facilities housing twice as many children as they were designed to accommodate.
• Poor living conditions: Remand homes often lack basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation, and adequate food.
• Inadequate access to education and healthcare: Many remand homes do not provide access to education or healthcare services, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
• Corruption and abuse of power: There are reports of corruption and abuse of power among staff at remand homes, including physical and emotional abuse of children.
• Lack of funding and resources: Remand homes often lack adequate funding and resources, leading to a lack of basic amenities and services.
• Recent incidents of minors in criminal prisons: Despite the Child Rights Act of 2003, which prohibits the detention of minors in adult prisons, recent incidents have come to light of minors being held in criminal prisons in Nigeria.
• Incident of minors held in prison by a very dark man: In a recent incident that trended on social media, a man was arrested for holding several minors in his prison-like facility in Lagos. The minors, who were mostly street children, were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, and were forced to work in inhumane conditions.

Case Studies:

Recent cases have highlighted the alarming treatment of minors in Nigeria’s justice system. A 10-year-old boy was arrested in Delta State for threatening his mother over delayed meals, and was subsequently jailed in an adult prison. Similarly, a 13-year-old boy was arrested in Lagos for stealing food and detained in an adult prison.

Furthermore, the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team reported that several adolescent boys aged 10-15 were arrested and detained in Kirikiri Prison in Lagos for alleged rape cases. In all these instances, the minors were held in cells with adult inmates, exposing them to physical and emotional abuse.

These cases underscore the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s juvenile justice system, ensuring that minors are treated in accordance with international human rights standards and provided with adequate care and rehabilitation.

Conceptual tree on issues, root causes, legal frameworks, and other aspects related to remand homes in Nigeria:

Roots:

• Poverty and economic inequality
• Lack of education and job opportunities
• Broken family structures and social support systems
• Inadequate childcare and protection services

Trunk:

• Child rights violations
• Inadequate legal frameworks and policies
• Corruption and abuse of power
• Inadequate funding and resources

Branches:

• Issues:
  • Overcrowding and poor living conditions
  • Malnutrition and poor healthcare
  • Physical and emotional abuse
  • Limited access to education and rehabilitation programs
• Root Causes:
  • Social and economic factors
  • Family and community factors
  • Institutional and systemic factors
• Legal Frameworks:
  • Child Rights Act (2003)
  • Nigerian Constitution (1999)
  • International human rights treaties and conventions
• Stakeholders:
  • Government agencies (Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice)
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Community leaders and members
  • International organizations and donors

Leaves:

• Increased awareness and advocacy on child rights and welfare
• Improved policies and legislation to protect children’s rights
• Enhanced funding and resource allocation for remand homes and childcare services
• Strengthened partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders

Fruits:

• Reduced number of children in remand homes
• Improved living conditions and care for children in remand homes
• Increased access to education, healthcare, and rehabilitation programs for children
• Strengthened child protection systems and mechanisms to prevent child rights violations.

Recommendations:

• The Nigerian government should increase funding and resources for remand homes to improve living conditions and provide access to education and healthcare services.
• The government should also establish clear policies and guidelines for the management of remand homes, including measures to prevent corruption and abuse of power.
• Remand homes should be inspected regularly to ensure compliance with minimum standards, and staff should receive training on child rights and welfare.
• The government should take immediate action to address the recent incidents of minors being held in criminal prisons, including the release of all minors currently being held in adult prisons and the establishment of separate juvenile detention facilities.
• The government should also work to address the root causes of child poverty and vulnerability, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
• The government should investigate the incident of minors held in prison by a very dark man and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Here are some organizations responsible for protecting street children and remand homes in Nigeria:

Government Agencies:

1. National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP): Responsible for preventing and combating human trafficking, including child trafficking.
2. Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development: Oversees policies and programs related to women and children’s welfare, including street children.
3. Ministry of Justice: Responsible for ensuring that the rights of children are protected and that perpetrators of child abuse are prosecuted.
4. The National Human Rights Commission is most strategically positioned now to promote and protect every child across the states in Nigeria

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

1. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Works to improve the lives of children in Nigeria, including street children.
2. Save the Children: Provides support to vulnerable children, including street children, in Nigeria.
3. Child Rights Initiative: Advocates for the rights of children in Nigeria, including street children.
4. Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative: Provides care and support to street children in Nigeria.
5. Centre for Children’s Health, Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE): Works to protect the rights of children in Nigeria, including street children.

International Organizations:

1. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Provides support to vulnerable children, including street children, in Nigeria.
2. International Rescue Committee (IRC): Provides humanitarian assistance, including support for street children, in Nigeria.

Local Organizations:

1. Lagos State Government’s Ministry of Youth and Social Development: Oversees programs and services related to youth and social development, including support for street children.
2. Kaduna State Government’s Ministry of Human Services and Social Development: Provides support to vulnerable children, including street children, in Kaduna State.
3. Delta State Child’s Rights Committee.

While this is not an exhaustive list, there are other organizations working to protect street children and remand homes in Nigeria.

Conclusion:

Remand homes in Nigeria are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for children. However, investigations have revealed that many remand homes are plagued by overcrowding, poor living conditions, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Furthermore, recent incidents of minors being held in criminal prisons, including the incident of minors held in prison by a very dark man, highlight the need for urgent reform of the juvenile justice system in Nigeria. To address these issues, the Nigerian government must increase funding and resources for remand homes, establish clear policies and guidelines, and work to address the root causes of child poverty and vulnerability.