Benue State Government has reopened the Divisional Welfare Office in Otukpo so as to strengthen child protection, tackle gender-based violence, GBV, and expand access to social welfare services across the nine local government areas of Benue South Senatorial District.

At the reopening ceremony, flagged off by the traditional ruler, Och' Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, described the development as Governor Hyacinth Alia's commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs said the Otukpo office would serve as a frontline response centre for reports of child abuse, domestic violence, gender-based violence, trafficking, neglect and exploitation, while providing counselling, referrals and coordinated interventions for victims.

Ikwue commended the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, for supporting child protection reforms and the training of participants from 61 communities in five wards of Otukpo LGA, alongside two Child Protection Desk Officers from each of Benue's 23 local government areas.

The Commissioner the establishment of Community-Based Child Protection Structures will serve as first line of defence against child abuse, trafficking, child labour, child marriage and other forms of violence against children. She urged residents to report cases of abuse and violence through the reopened welfare office,