When I hear the term “child services,” I think of safety, protection, and the idea of giving children a better chance at life. In Nigeria—especially here in Lafia,
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Nasarawa State where I live—child services aren’t as established or loud as what we see in countries like the U.S. or UK. But they are there, working quietly through ministries and NGOs to protect children from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. I respect that. It’s a good thing.
However, as I, kastropaul398, a young person living in Lafia and observing the system around me, I’ve seen how sometimes, their actions—though well-intentioned—can be too quick or harsh. For example, I once heard of a case in my area where a child was taken from his parents just because someone reported that he wasn’t eating well. No proper investigation, no hearing from the parents. It turned out the family was going through a rough patch financially. Instead of helping them, child services separated them. That broke my heart.
This made me start asking questions: Are we truly protecting the child when we remove them from the people who love them, especially without full proof of harm? I understand the system is trying to do its job. But I also feel we need a more balanced, compassionate approach.
Not every home is perfect—but not every imperfection deserves to be punished with separation. Some families just need support, encouragement, and maybe a little help to stand back up. Why not start there?
In a place like Lafia, where extended family and community bonds are strong, removing a child can sometimes cause emotional damage that’s hard to reverse. I strongly believe child services should first explore options like counseling, community intervention, or economic aid—only taking children away when the danger is truly clear and unavoidable.
Every child deserves love, safety, and peace. But when possible, that should still include the comfort of their family. We need child services in Nigeria to do more than rescue—we need them to restore.
*Me and my sibling *