The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has charged Gender Desk Officers across the state to adopt professionalism, empathy and diligence in handling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV cases.
Elleman gave the charge on Wednesday during a one-day capacity-building programme organised by the Niger State Police Command for Gender Desk Officers from various divisions at the Police Officers’ Mess, Minna.
The CP said police officers were often the first point of contact for survivors and victims of SGBV, making it essential for them to have the knowledge and skills required to respond appropriately to complaints.
He urged the officers to actively participate in the training and apply the lessons learnt in their daily duties, particularly in the areas of documentation, investigation and response.
Elleman also directed the Gender Desk Officers to ensure that survivors and victims are treated with dignity and respect from the point of reporting through investigation and other response processes.
He said the programme was designed to expose participants to both the theoretical and practical challenges involved in handling SGBV cases.
Speaking earlier, the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Section, ASP Hadiza Adamu, said the training was a step-down programme from an SGBV course she attended in Abuja.
She said the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the course needed to be shared with officers responsible for handling SGBV complaints across the Command.
Adamu said officers must be able to listen to survivors, demonstrate empathy, document complaints accurately, investigate professionally and take appropriate action while safeguarding their dignity and rights.
Also, CSP Jude Akaeze, O/C DRP, delivered a session on “Importance of Diligent Investigation of SGBV Towards Ensuring Successful Prosecution,” while the O/C Gender Section spoke on “The Concept of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
ACP Tapshak Bitrus Sekat, AC Medical, addressed the participants on “Impact of Psychological Trauma on Survivors/Victims of SGBV,” while FIDA Chairperson, Mrs Bolanle O. Jibogun, Esq., spoke on the legal framework governing SGBV.
Activist, Aisha Yusuf, on her part, spoke on strengthening inter-agency collaboration, while Insp. Solomon Washima presented the Nigeria Police approved procedure for action-based response to SGBV cases.
The Command said the training was aimed at improving officers’ capacity to identify, document, investigate and manage SGBV cases while strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The training was attended by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Haj. Hadiza Idris Kuta; Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, represented by Hon. Murtala Adamu Badaru, member representing Suleja Constituency; Hon. Abdulazeez Gado-Nasko, member representing Magama Constituency; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hon. Hadiza Shiru; Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Bolanle O. Jibogun, Esq.; and Hakimi-Maikunkele, Hon. Dada Suleiman, among others.
Niger CP tasks Gender Desk Officers on professional handling of SGBV cases