The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has called on Gender Desk Officers across the state to handle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV cases with professionalism, empathy and diligence. This was stated 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.
Elleman emphasized that 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.
The programme was designed to expose participants to both the theoretical and practical challenges involved in handling SGBV cases. 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.
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.
Various speakers at the training session addressed topics such as the importance of diligent investigation of SGBV, the concept of sexual and gender-based violence, the impact of psychological trauma on survivors/victims of SGBV, and the legal framework governing SGBV. The training also covered strengthening inter-agency collaboration and the Nigeria Police approved procedure for action-based response to SGBV cases.
The training was attended by several notable individuals, including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Haj. Hadiza Idris Kuta; Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, represented by Hon. Murtala Adamu Badaru; Hon. Abdulazeez Gado-Nasko; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hon. Hadiza Shiru; Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Bolanle O. Jibogun, Esq.; and Hakimi-Maikunkele, Hon. Dada Suleiman.
The Niger State Police Command stated that the training was aimed at improving officers’ capacity to identify, document, investigate and manage SGBV cases while strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The Command seeks to enhance the skills of its officers in handling SGBV cases effectively and professionally.
Key points
- The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has charged Gender Desk Officers to adopt professionalism in handling SGBV cases.
- A one-day capacity-building programme was organised by the Niger State Police Command to enhance the skills of Gender Desk Officers in handling SGBV cases.
- The training covered topics such as documentation, investigation, and response to SGBV cases, as well as strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
