Police To Ensure Prosecution Of ‘Violence Against Persons Act’ Offenders

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, says with the passage of ‘Violence Against Persons Act’ by the National Assembly, the Nigeria Police will carry out full implementation of the Act with a view to ensure that offenders are appropriately prosecuted.

Speaking on Wednesday in his office at the Force Headquarters, while playing host to officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and other stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence and violence against persons, Arase noted that already, a technical team has been put in place to look into all cultural inhibitions against proper prosecution of offenders in this regard.

He also disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force has commenced the training of officers billed for Gender-based violence desks on diverse courses, with an e-library to be launched in December, 2015, to equip lawyers for proper discharge of their duties.

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In their response, the team which was made up of the Director-General of NAPTIP, the Director, Women & Gender Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary, the Deputy Country Representative – UN Women and other stake holders, agreed on the need for collaboration with the Nigeria Police on a common front to fight the offence of gender-based violence and violence against persons.

They also agreed that it was very important that the public as well as security agencies appreciate the rights of persons.