Allegations of Torture and Illegal Detention of Street Children by CUDA Officials Spark National Outrage in Cross River State

CUDA officials in Calabar allegedly tortured street children and assaulted advocates. Read the full report on the violation of the Cross River Child Rights Law.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 11:18 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Guardian (Nigeria)

A Disturbing Crackdown at Mary Slessor Roundabout

Reports of a violent operation targeting street children in Calabar have sent shockwaves through Cross River State. On March 19, 2026, officials from the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) allegedly conducted a sweep at the Mary Slessor Roundabout, apprehending several minors. According to eyewitness accounts and local advocates, these children were not taken to a welfare center but were instead transported to the Zoo Garden. There, they were reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment, including being tied up and physically assaulted. The incident has raised urgent questions regarding the protocols used by state task forces when dealing with vulnerable populations.

Advocates Meet Hostility While Seeking Intervention

Godwin O’Hara, Executive Director of the NGO Street Priests, detailed a harrowing scene upon his team’s arrival at the Zoo Garden to intervene. O'Hara alleged that his staff discovered children crying on the ground while being flogged by officials—some reportedly using machetes to strike the minors. When the advocates attempted to identify themselves and provide protection for the children, the encounter turned violent. O'Hara claimed that CUDA officials physically assaulted his colleagues, including slapping one and hitting another in the mouth. Despite the hostility, the team successfully secured the release of five children who had been bound.

Violation of the 2023 Child Rights Law

The Child Protection Network (CPN), Cross River State Chapter, issued a blistering statement on March 24, labeling the actions of the CUDA officials as "barbaric" and "unlawful." Advocates emphasize that these actions are a direct violation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law, 2023. This legislation was specifically designed to prohibit all forms of violence against children and mandates that any minor in need of care be treated with dignity and processed through established social welfare channels. The CPN argued that no government agency holds the authority to inflict degrading treatment on children, regardless of their social status or location.