Joy Anyim
Two Non – Profit Organisation, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), and Project Alert on Violence Against Women have called on security chiefs in Nigeria, to take appropriate steps to curb acts of sexual violence perpetrated by law enforcement officers.
According to the concerned organisations, the call to action became imperative following the incessant cases of sexual violence against women and girls, by law enforcement personnel in the country.
Speaking at a joint press conference marking the start of ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2019′, a yearly activity, the National Coordinator of NOPRIN foundation, Emmanuel Ikule noted that law enforcement officers are supposed to protect and not abuse women and girls.
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He, therefore, called for stringent measures in ending the scourge, saying law enforcement officers who sexually violate any woman or girl, must not be protected, but dismissed, and charged to court for same.
At the press conference which held on Monday, at Watercress Hotel in Ikeja, Ikule drew attention to some reported cases of such sexual violence. “Today, November 25, marks the beginning of this year’s 16 days of Activism. It is also the International Day on Violence Against Women.
“ In April this year, there were allegations that the police at Utako Police Division, had sexually abused about 70 women they had arrested around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory for being ‘prostitutes’. These ladies were arrested at various evening hangouts and night clubs and tagged prostitutes by the police and other law enforcement agencies working on the orders of Abuja Environmental Protection Board(AEPB).
“ While in police detention, it was alleged that some of the women, whom the police could not extort money from, were sexually abused. This led to a huge outcry on social media and street protests in Abuja on May 10, demanding an end to police impunity, a crackdown on and abuse of women and girls in Nigeria.
“ In yet another report, a policeman raped the nine-year-old daughter of another police officer in a police barrack in Lagos. The policeman, Mohammed Alidu, a Sergeant defied the little girl at Makinde Barracks, Oshodi Lagos.
“ Also this year, soldiers at a checkpoint along Akure-Ikare Akoko road raped a female student of Adekunle Ajasin University. The soldiers who were deployed to the area to deal with the incessant reports of kidnapping ended up committing sexual crimes,” he said.
While also making reference to what the International community has done in this regard, Ikule noted that NOPRIN will be partnering concerned organisation to monitor the ugly trend, to ensure violated persons get justice.
“Amnesty International had during the launch of a report last year titled ‘ Nigeria: Rape the Silent Weapon’, drawn attention to what is referred to as disturbing trends of rape and sexual violence against women and girls in the hands of police and security forces. It argued that the acts are further compounded and encouraged by the failure of the criminal justice system to bring the culprits to book.
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“ On the occasion of this year’s International Day of Violence Against Women, and the beginning of the 16 days of activism, which has its theme ‘ Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape ‘, NOPRIN is calling on the Inspector -General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, to take appropriate steps to curb the acts of sexual violence being perpetrated by their men.
“ As law enforcement officers, they are supposed to protect not abuse women and girls. Law enforcement officers are not above the law. Thus if they commit acts of sexual abuse, they should be dismissed from the force and made to face the civil court or criminal charges.
“ Enough of impunity, NOPRIN will be working closely with Project Alert and other Civil Society Organisation, the media, to monitor and report police sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in Nigeria. “
Earlier in her address, the Programme Officer, Project Alert, Nsini Udonta, gave a background to the 16 days of activism, saying it stated some 25 years back.
Also
present at the event was the chairperson of the Federation of Female
Lawyers FIDA, Lagos branch, Mrs Philomena Nneji, the Coordinator of the
International Centre for Human Rights, Non-Violence and Safety
Awareness, Barrister Sarah Unobe amongst others.
The
resource persons at the event agreed that massive enlightenment is
needed to end sexual violence, as well as shunning the culture of
silence associated with sexual violence.
