The Zone 5 Police Command has urged victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to speak out when abused with a view to getting early help from concerned authorities.
The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of the zone, Monday Agbonika, gave the charge at the commencement of a two-day capacity building for officers on “Gender-Based Violence Response”. on Wednesday in Benin.
This is contained in a statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), zone 5 headquarters, SP Doghudje Johnson, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Benin on Thursday.
NAN reports that the event is organised by the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in collaboration with the zone 5 headquarters, Benin, with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
NAN also reports that the zone comprises of Edo and Delta.
Agbonika represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akpama Okoi, said it was imperative that survivors of GBV spoke out to guarantee their immediate protection and safety.
According to him, this is because officers are tasked with securing the safety of the survivor, halting ongoing violence, and separating the victim from the perpetrator.
“This is a targeted training programme expected to reshape how you as officers understand and respond to GBV cases.
“Your responsibilities in GBV cases extend far beyond simply logging complaints. Officers serve as primary frontline responders tasked with securing medical care, coordinating with Sexual Assault Referral Centres, issuing protection orders, and ensuring offenders are brought to justice.”
He therefore charged participants to remain focus, while assuring that the knowledge and practical skills impacted during the programme would be put into practice whenever necessary.
The AIG expressed appreciation to both the ACJMC and IOM for the training, noting that the engagement demonstrated the readiness of the organisations to strengthening collaboration and sustain a strong partnership in the fight against GBV.
He also appreciated the ACJMC, and IOM, for their continued cooperation and collaborative engagements aimed at promoting safety, professionalism and effective policing in handling GBV cases.
By Usman Aliyu
