A powerful child rights advocacy group, Operation Save Nigerian Children, has urgently appealed to Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to intervene in the disturbing case of a 16-year-old Christian girl, Miss Georgia Miracle, who has allegedly been abducted and forcibly converted to Islam in Adamawa State.
The petition, led by Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, the group’s convener, highlights serious violations of the 2003 Child Rights Act, citing the teen’s abduction, coerced conversion, and subsequent forced marriage to a Muslim man in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola. The case has raised alarms about the treatment of minors and the need for stronger child protection laws in Nigeria.
In the petition titled “A Case of Alleged Child Abduction and Forced Conversion of a Child: Request for Intervention”, the organization calls for immediate intervention to protect Miss Georgia Miracle and ensure justice is served. Aghogho states, “As a group, we are legally mandated to act in the best interests of children across Nigeria, ensuring their rights are respected under the Child Rights Act.”
The petition details how Miss Miracle’s mother, Mrs. Haina Miracle, a widow since 2015, fiercely opposed her daughter’s abduction. Despite this, the teenager was allegedly abducted by local Muslim leaders who coerced her into converting to Islam. The case took a disturbing turn during a court hearing where inconsistencies in Georgia’s testimony were revealed, along with confessions from Muslim leaders admitting to facilitating her forced conversion.
The petition further underscores the absence of a Family Court with exclusive jurisdiction over children’s matters in Adamawa State, which significantly impedes justice. According to the Child Rights Act, children under 18 are protected from child marriage, and any such betrothal or union is strictly prohibited by law. “We urge the government to take swift action to safeguard Georgia’s rights and ensure her well-being,” the petition stated.
The group has also called for the establishment of Family Courts in all Nigerian states, particularly Adamawa, to ensure effective handling of child-related cases. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for these courts to be adequately resourced and empowered to enforce the Child Rights Act, preventing further abuses and protecting vulnerable children across Nigeria.
“The protection of Nigeria’s children is at stake, and immediate action is required. We trust that you will prioritize the protection and welfare of Miss Georgia Miracle and take the necessary steps to uphold the law,” the petition concludes.
This alarming case has sparked nationwide outrage, with many calling for a crackdown on the abuse of minors and a stronger legal framework to defend children’s rights in Nigeria.
