…..Demands Police Patrol Round Neighborhoods Notorious For High Crime Rate
…Says 80 million Women And Girls Are Still Victims Of Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Disturbed by the rising cases of violence against women and children in Nigeria, the Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA) on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Adamu Mohammed, at Edet House, Police Headquarters Abuja.
The group called for Police’s protection of rights of victims of gender based violence and also demanded that resources be made available to police stations across the country to go on patrols round the neighborhoods that are notorious for high crime rates. This FIDA said, will reduce the incidences of violence as perpetrators will not be able to execute heinous crimes knowing that security is tight in the area.
The visit which came less than twenty four hours after the five-day activities-packed 2019 FIDA Africa Regional Congress, witnessed group members carrying placards with inscriptions such as : “FIDA Says NO to Rape”; “Future Is Female”, Stop Abuse of women and Children now, among others.
The Country Vice President, International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Nigeria, Mrs Rhoda Tyoden who handed their written demand to AIG Usman Alkali Baba who received the letter on behalf of the IGP informed that approximately 80 million women and girls still suffer Gender Base Violence (GBV) in Nigeria, stressing that there is need to pull resources together to ensure that this menace is eradicated in the country.
Rhoda, who thanked the IGP for his responsiveness to issues of security of lives and property in Nigeria, also commended the Police Force for the establishment of Gender Unit for handling gender-related matters as well as setting up of gender desk across the police commands.
She also advised that as the closest security agency to the people, Police’s engagement with victims of gender based violence will go a long way in curbing the incidence of violence in Nigeria.
The Country Vice President informed the IGP that the recurrent emphasis during the FIDA Africa Regional Congress that just ended was on the need for the Nigeria Police Force to deeply understand the provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015. And assured of FIDA’s preparedness to provide pro-bono training to members of the Police Force on the provisions of the VAPP and general human rights principles.
According to the Country Vice President, approximately 80 million women and girls are still victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and called for pulling together of resources to ensure that the menace is eradicated in Nigeria.
She appealed to the IGP for gender desk officer of the force to be trained on how to handle victims of GBV that come to the police station; this according to her will ensure that cases brought in are handled by trained police personnel.
She thanked the police for partnering with FIDA Nigeria, to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in handling GBV noting that the SOP will aid the gender desk officer in carrying out their duties more efficiently and professionally in order to ensure that human rights of victims are preserved.
In his response, the representative of the IGP, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Alkali Usman, said the Nigerian Police Force is ready to partner with FIDA, assuring of their continuous support as desk offices are being trained and there is room for improvement.
“As for assist in terms of prosecution, we are aware that all your branches across the country are partnering the commissioner of police and legal officers. We are also on notes that our officers have been directed to collaborate and synergies with you especially in cases that affects women and children” he said.
The IGP promised to deliver the message of FIDA to the Inspector General of Police whom he said was abroad on national engagement.
Sundiata Post recalls that “FIDA Nigeria just participated in the FIDA Africa Regional Congress which held from 11-15 October, 2019, with the theme: The growth of Women and Children in Africa: Beyond Rhetoric.” The congress was attended by FIDA members from Ghana, Uganda, Bahamas among others.