The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has initiated a three-day training program for 30 police officers from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on effectively handling cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Abuja.
Commencing on Wednesday, the training aims to bolster the capabilities of Police Gender Desk officers and prosecutors in the FCT to prevent and prosecute SGBV cases more efficiently.
Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director-General of NAPTIP, stressed the importance of equipping law enforcement officers with comprehensive knowledge of relevant laws, protocols, and investigative techniques pertaining to SGBV cases.
She said that such training is crucial for ensuring accountability, preventing further victimization, and delivering justice for survivors.
The selected police officers primarily hail from the Gender Desk of the Nigeria Police Force, and the training is conducted in collaboration with the Justice Research Institute (JRI), funded by the Ford Foundation, an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO).
Waziri-Azi emphasised NAPTIP’s role as the implementing agency for the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015 in the FCT, underlining the collaborative efforts between NAPTIP and the Nigeria Police to combat domestic and sexual violence effectively.
She noted that consistent capacity building is essential and revealed that a standard operating procedure for handling SGBV cases would be introduced during the training. Additionally, prosecutors will receive specialized training to complement the investigative efforts of law enforcement officers.
Waziri-Azi mentioned the involvement of judges in the training to educate participants on courtroom procedures, further enhancing their ability to present cases effectively.
The NAPTIP Director-General disclosed that the agency received approximately 200,000 SGBV complaints in 2023, resulting in five convictions. She emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving significant strides in combating human trafficking and SGBV.
Speaking, the Executive Director of JRI, Mr. Ikem Isiekwena, stressed the training’s significance in strengthening police capacity to respond effectively to violence against women and girls.
He also stressed the focus on prioritising the safety, dignity, and rights of survivors throughout the investigative and legal processes.
The training includes the presentation of resources developed by the project, including a training manual and standard operating procedures for preventing, responding to, and prosecuting SGBV cases.
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