What I Experienced As Child Cannot Be Compared With The Horror Those Innocent Children Are Have -Akpabio

According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Monday, June 8, 2026, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that the painful experiences he endured as a child during the Nigerian Civil War cannot be compared to the terrible suffering and trauma faced by children who have been abducted by criminal groups across the country.

Speaking emotionally about the devastating effects of insecurity on families, Akpabio reflected on his childhood experiences during the civil war and expressed deep sympathy for children who are currently being held captive and their worried parents.

The Senate President noted that while he understands the pain and uncertainty that come with living through conflict, the ordeal faced by kidnapped children is far more heartbreaking and unimaginable.

According to him, no parent should have to endure the agony of not knowing the whereabouts or condition of their child.

“That is why my heart breaks for every child in captivity and every parent who lies awake through the long hours of the night, not knowing whether a son or daughter is safe, hungry, frightened, or even alive,” Akpabio said.

He further explained that although he experienced difficult moments as a child during the civil war, the suffering of abducted children today involves a level of horror, humiliation, cruelty, and emotional trauma that is difficult to comprehend.

“I know something of that anguish. Yet what I experienced as a child cannot be compared with the horror, humiliation, cruelty, and unspeakable ordeal these innocent children have endured since their abduction,” he stated.

Akpabio described the abduction of children as a tragedy that has wounded the conscience of the nation and called for continued efforts to ensure their safety and freedom. Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism that better days lie ahead.

“It is a tragedy that wounds the conscience of our nation. But I assure you, there is a brighter tomorrow. The evil you see today, you shall soon see no more,” he added.

His remarks have once again drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and protect vulnerable children across the country.