‘We need laws to protect girls like Ochanya’ — House of Reps hopeful, Katherine Agada Iduh

House of Representatives hopeful for Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Katherine Agada Iduh, has called for urgent legislative action to protect the girl-child, saying Nigeria needs stronger laws to prevent abuse, trafficking, and neglect of vulnerable girls.

Iduh made the call during an interview on Idoma TV’s programme, The Conversation, where she spoke extensively on the legislative priorities she would pursue if elected.

Responding to a question on how she intends to help young children through legislation, Iduh said, “We need laws to protect girls like Ochanya. We still have many Ochanyas out there, and that is the painful truth.”

She lamented the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, noting that Benue State is among the worst affected.

“Nigeria currently has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and Benue State’s situation is even more alarming. About 1,189 women are dying from pregnancy-related issues in Benue alone, mostly in rural areas,” she said.

According to her, the lack of access to proper healthcare and skilled maternity services continues to endanger the lives of women and children.

“Most of these deaths are happening because women do not have access to skilled maternity specialists. We need laws that will make quality maternal healthcare mandatory and accessible, especially in rural communities, and also ensure support for women even after childbirth,” she added.

The aspirant also raised concern over the growing cases of girl-child trafficking, saying many young girls are trafficked out of their communities under false pretences.

“It will shock you how many girls from our communities are trafficked to places like Lagos and even outside Nigeria. You see videos of girls being interviewed, lost and confused, and you suddenly realise they are from Benue. How are our girls being taken away like this?” she asked.

Citing the case of Ochanya, Iduh blamed poor access to education and infrastructure in rural areas for exposing young girls to abuse.

“Ochanya had to leave her village to stay with someone else just because there was no school. The local government failed her. There are many girls like Ochanya who are sent away from home in the name of education and end up being abused,” she said.

She stressed the need for stronger education and child protection laws, arguing that education is key to reducing vulnerability among girls.

“When girls are not educated, they become very vulnerable. They can be deceived, abused, trafficked, and in some cases even lose their lives. We need very strong laws to protect our women and girls, and this is extremely important right now,” Iduh said.

She pledged that, if elected, she would sponsor and support legislation focused on maternal health, girl-child protection, anti-trafficking measures, and access to education for girls in Enone Federal Constituency and beyond.

Ochanya Ogbanje, a teenager from Benue State, died in 2018 after years of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by her relatives, Andrew Ogbuja and another family member, after she was sent from her village to live with them in order to attend school. The case sparked national outrage and renewed calls for stronger child protection laws and enforcement.