As part of efforts to curb the menace of violence across the state, the Niger state Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has affirmed the unwavering commitment of his Command in the ongoing fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) advocacy in Niger State.
CP Danmamma said when a team of GBV advocates in partnership with Global Promoters for Community Initiative (GPCI) led by Hajara Achibi paid an advocacy visit to him at the Police Headquarters in Minna saying “we remain resolute in our fight against GBV.”
He said, “GBV issues are not unfamiliar to the force, we have an existing specialized unit dedicated to addressing GBV cases within the state and we diligently extend our reach to the most remote areas of the state to ensure the proper handling of GBV cases.
Furthermore, the Police Commissioner said the Command is working closely with International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and the State Child Rights Agency in the state as they are actively involved in addressing GBV cases in the state.
Speaking earlier, Hajara Achibi while reiterating that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibited) Law (VAPP) law was enacted by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2007, said it was passed into law by the Niger State House of Assembly in 2023.
She lamented that, despite its passage, the law is yet to be enforced. hence, the GBV team is fervently advocating for its implementation in the State and recognise the pivotal role that the Police force plays as a key stakeholder in combating GBV.
Accordingly, she said “we are advocating for the utilization of VAPP laws in the prosecution of GBV offenders and for the implementation of the VAPP laws to be used to empower survivors to seek compensations through legal channels which would serve as compensatory measures”.