…Reels out new measures to deal with emerging incidents of gender-based violence
MON, JUN 08 2020-theG&BJournal- Inspector General of Police (IGP) M.A Adamu today unveiled new operational guidelines for the Police Force and other Law Enforcement Agencies on COVID-19 prevention enforcement duties- measures aimed fostering a more harmonious relationship between the Police and members of the public.
The measures are also geared towards providing a new set of policing tools for tackling emerging crimes such as domestic violence, rape, child molestation and other incidents of Gender-Based Violence.
The new measures is prompted by the IGP’s concern on the increase in reported cases of domestic violence, rape, defilement, cybercrimes etc linked with the COVID-19 restrictions.
‘’These unfortunate incidents have prompted the introduction of this Operational Guidelines which will help to adequately coordinate and reshape the conducts of personnel of the Force and other law enforcement agencies on the frontline of operations in the enforcement of the COVID-19 prevention orders. It will also serve as a standard code of conduct for Police officers in similar operations in the future,’’ the IGP said in a written statement.
The Police Force public relations came into focus recently following backlash that trailed the killing of 17-year old Tina Ezekwe who was shot dead by officers of the Nigerian Police Force. The public have also been critical of their response to cases of victims of rape and fatal violence against women and girls in Nigeria. The death of Uwa Omozuwa who died tragically after being raped in a church also rattled the police with the IGP ordering transfer of the case to Force Headquarters in Abuja for thorough investigation.
The Amnesty International Nigeria weighed in on the issues last week and called on the Federal Government to declare a ‘national crisis on rape’, criticising the Federal Government’s response as ‘’woefully inadequate.’’
In apparent response, the IGP within the new guidelines ordered the strengthening of the Gender-Desk Units and the Juvenile Welfare Centres (JWCs) across the country and the deployment of investigative assets to deal with gender related offences.
According to the IGP, the Cybercrime Unit of the Force has also been strengthened to deal with cybercrimes connected with COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zonal and State Commands as well as Heads of Police Departments and Formations have been directed by the IGP to make the Guidelines subject of departmental briefings and lectures.
The operational Guidelines will also serve as a training manual in all Police Training institutions. The IGP equally challenged the Force Provost Department, the X-Squad, the Force Public Relations Department, the Complaint Response Unit and the Public Complaint Bureau to carry out their oversight roles of adequate evaluation and monitoring of officers to ensure compliance with the Guidelines and bring erring personnel to book.
He called on the citizens to cooperate with the Police and other Law Enforcement Officers
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