National Human Rights Commission Raise Alarm After 106 Male Parents Abandon Home In Gombe Over High Cost Of Living In 2023

At least 106 heads of household have abandoned their families due to inability to afford the cost of living in Gombe State, Northeast, Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said.

NHRC made the revelation in Gombe on Saturday, adding that they recorded that 106 male parents abdicated their responsibilities in 2023 alone.

Ali Alola-Alfinti, the NHRC spokesperson told journalists that more parents would still abdicate their responsibilities as the prices of foodstuffs and other necessities continue to skyrocket. However, according to him, the situation is worsening security and other social problems.

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In Nigeria, the current inflation rate is 28.92%, pushing the prices of basic food items beyond the reach of common citizens. For instance, a 50kg bag of rice sells for about N46,000. It cost about N8,500 in 2015.

The situation was worsened by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol.

Alfinti said, “The increasing number of male parents abdicating their responsibilities is alarming. It should disturb all of us that a father would abandon his own children and run away.

“Out of the 280 related complaints the commission received in 2023, we have established that 106 parents have fled homes or abandoned their families. “It is always a result of frustration when a man is unable to put food on the table; he feels the option is to run away. Usually, this type of pressure comes with mental health challenges. That’s why sometimes you think someone is normal, but they’re not.

“Of course, the bad state of the country’s economy is partly responsible for the problem; because many householders are frustrated with the cost of living.”

Alfinti warned that abdicating one’s responsibilities is a violation of children’s rights, noting that abandoned children often become a menace to society.

He however disclosed that the commission would synergize with relevant agencies to support parents in the discharge of their responsibilities of raising children.