We’re committed to fight against gender-based violence in Niger – Police

Niger State Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has given assurances of the commitment of his command to curbing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Danmamma stated this during a visit by a team of GBV advocates in partnership with Global Promoters for Community Initiative, GPCI, led by Hajara Achibi at the Police Headquarters in Minna.

“We remain resolute in our fight against GBV as such issues are not unfamiliar to the force. We have an existing specialised 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, ” he stated.

Danmamma also explained that the command is working closely with FIDA and the State Child Rights Agency to address GBV cases in the state.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Hajara Achibi, stated that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibited) Law, known as VAPP laws, was enacted by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2007, and passed into law by the Niger State House of Assembly in 2023.

“Despite its passage, the law is yet to be enforced. Hence, the GBV team is fervently advocating for its implementation in the state and recognises the pivotal role that the police force plays as a key stakeholder in combating GBV,” she stated.

“We are advocating for the utilisation 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 that would serve as compensatory measures, ” Achibi added.

We’re committed to fight against gender-based violence in Niger – Police