Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has spoken out against what she described as intimidation targeting a Nigerian mother who allegedly faced threats after questioning the suitability of a children’s storybook containing scenes of cruelty.
In a statement released on Sunday, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central said the reported harassment was unacceptable and urged swift action to ensure the woman’s safety.
“My attention has been drawn to a distressed woman reportedly being threatened over concerns she raised about a children’s storybook containing graphic cruelty,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
She stressed that reading materials produced for children should be carefully reviewed to prevent exposure to disturbing or harmful content.
“Content intended for children must never be distressing, confusing, or inadvertently normalize violence… especially toward animals. Safeguarding young minds is a shared responsibility,” she added.
The senator also backed the right of parents to critically assess books and learning materials available to children, while urging publishers and relevant authorities to act responsibly.
“Parents have every right to question and vet the materials their children are exposed to. Likewise, publishers and business owners must remain open to feedback, while the Ministry of Education and its agencies must be proactive in ensuring that all educational materials meet appropriate standards,” she stated.
She further condemned alleged intimidation linked to the incident, insisting that such actions were unacceptable.
“Threats or intimidation over such concerns are unacceptable,” she said.
The matter gained attention after a Nigerian mother went viral online expressing concern over a children’s book she claimed contained a disturbing passage about an elderly man punishing a dog by burning its nose with a hot iron after it failed to guard meat.
She later said she was pressured to delete her post and complied, but alleged that intimidation continued, including claims that people close to her were being detained for questioning.
“I’m not doing this thing for trend. I’m not doing it for content,” she said. “Because now, they are threatening me, they are threatening my family, everybody that is close to me, they are picking them up one by one.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also said she wants to be directly linked with the woman at the centre of the controversy so the issue can be properly addressed.
