- Safiu Kehinde
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has extended the Gender-Based Violence desk office to divisions across Nigeria.
This was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the Adejobi, the IGP approved the extension as part of the Force’s commitment to human rights.
The initiative is also reportedly aimed at enhancing efficiency, improve service delivery, and ensure easier access to justice for citizens.
Adejobi held that GBV desk was previously limited to Zonal and state command.
Following the approval of the extension, Egbetokun mandated the appointment of qualified officers and GBV desk officers across the divisions.
The GBV desk officers, as approved by the IGP, will now oversee the Juvenile, Women, and Children (JWC) section in their divisions
The statement read in part; “In a decisive move to reinforce the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to human rights, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has approved the expansion of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) desk offices to all police divisions nationwide.
“This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and ensure easier access to justice for citizens.
“Previously limited to zonal and state commands, GBV desk offices will now be established at the divisional level, ensuring that cases of gender-based violence receive prompt, specialized, and professional attention.
“To support this expansion, the IGP has mandated the appointment of qualified officers as GBV desk officers. These officers will undergo specialized training to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise to handle GBV cases effectively.
“Additionally, divisional GBV desk officers will now oversee the Juvenile, Women, and Children (JWC) section in their divisions.
“This integration is designed to provide a holistic approach to handling gender-based violence and related cases, fostering a supportive environment for victims and ensuring swift justice delivery.
“The strengthening of the GBV desk offices underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of victims and survivors of gender-based violence. It is a proactive response to the increasing need for focused resources and specialized interventions to protect vulnerable populations.
“The IGP urges all citizens to report incidents of violence and take advantage of these desk offices to seek justice and protection.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to uphold justice, ensuring that all citizens’ rights and freedoms are protected without discrimination or bias.”