The child rights advocacy group, Operation Save Nigerian Children, has petitioned the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, over the alleged abduction and forced conversion of a 16-year-old Christian girl, Miss Georgia Miracle, in Adamawa State.
In a petition submitted on Friday and signed by the group’s convener, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, the organization called for immediate intervention, citing violations of the Child Rights Act of 2003. The petition, titled “A Case of Alleged Child Abduction and Forced Conversion of a Child: Request for Intervention,” expresses deep concern over the alleged coercion of the teen into Islam and her subsequent marriage to a Muslim man in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.
The petition reads, “I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing case of alleged abduction, forced conversion, and coercion of a 16-year-old Christian girl, Miss Georgia Miracle, in Adamawa State. As the Convener of ‘Operation Save Nigerian Children,’ we are mandated by law to act on behalf of any child in Nigeria, in line with the provisions of the Child Rights Act 2023.”
The letter further explains that Miracle was abducted despite the objections of her mother, Mrs. Haina Miracle, a widow who has been raising her daughter alone since her husband’s death in 2015. The group also alleges that local Muslim leaders played a role in her conversion and expressed concerns over inconsistencies in Miracle’s testimony during court proceedings.
“The court session revealed shocking and troubling details, including inconsistencies in Georgia’s testimony and admissions by Muslim leaders that they facilitated her conversion. Furthermore, the absence of a Family Court with exclusive jurisdiction over children’s matters in Adamawa State to hear the case highlights the urgent need for effective implementation of the Child Rights Act.”
The petition emphasizes that the Child Rights Act, specifically sections 21 and 22, prohibits child marriage and betrothal, stating that no person under 18 can legally marry, and no one can arrange a child’s marriage. Section 23 also stipulates penalties for child marriage and betrothal.
The group called on the Minister to take immediate action to protect Miss Georgia Miracle’s rights and welfare, stressing the importance of establishing Family Courts across all states, including Adamawa, to handle child-related cases effectively.
“Provide adequate resources and support to these courts to enable them to address cases involving children efficiently. Strengthen the implementation of the Child Rights Act to prevent abuses and ensure the protection of children’s rights. We believe these measures will safeguard the well-being and future of Nigerian children,” the petition concluded.