Ibadan: The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has advocated for the inclusion of the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the security architecture and service delivery in Oyo State and Nigeria in general. The event, themed ‘Disability-Inclusive Service Delivery’, was organised by the centre in collaboration with Global Human Right Fund and Action Group on Free Civic Space, in Ibadan.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, emphasized that PWDs in Nigeria are facing challenges including violation of their civic rights by security agencies. Unumeri, represented by the centre’s Finance and Administrative Manager, Mrs Florence Austin, stressed that PWDs must have a meaningful voice in security-sector reform, asserting that nothing about them should be decided without their participation.
Unumeri highlighted the necessity for a security sector reform in Nigeria that promotes inclusion and protection of persons with disabilities. He stated that such reform would enhance more effective service delivery and build trust within the communities they serve. He further noted that the experiences of citizens, including PWDs, indicate that security-sector reform is needed not only to strengthen the capacity of security agencies to maintain order but also to protect citizens’ rights and preserve civic space.
The CCD acting director pointed out that security institutions have a responsibility to protect citizens, maintain public order, and respect fundamental rights of all, regardless of individual challenges. He emphasized that for persons with disabilities, the consequences of an inappropriate security response can be particularly severe. Therefore, security-sector reform must promote accessibility, inclusion, accountability, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity especially for PWDs.
Unumeri explained that the objective of security-sector reform should be to transition from a model that merely controls civic space to one that protects civic space while maintaining public safety. He stated that civic space enables citizens to express their views, associate, assemble peacefully, engage government, and demand accountability, and that PWDs have the same rights to participate in public and civic life.
The CCD acting director also asserted that persons with disabilities should be recognized not simply as beneficiaries requiring protection, but as rights holders, citizens, advocates, community leaders, and partners in governance and security. He emphasized that the engagement of security institutions with persons with disabilities must be guided by human rights, non-discrimination, and reasonable accommodation.
Mr Testimony Omole, Coordinator of Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), appealed to security agencies to consistently safeguard the rights of PWDs and ensure the protection of their civic space rights. Meanwhile, Mr Abiodun Aikomo, Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, commended the workshop’s organizers, stating that PWDs must not be excluded from the security architecture and service delivery.
Aikomo, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Najeem Abiola, stated that the inclusion of PWDs in security architecture must be viewed from the perspective of ability, equality, dignity, determination, and fundamental rights, rather than pity. He noted that disability-inclusive service delivery requires determination from all and a willingness from security agencies to learn, adapt, improve, and see PWDs beyond their disabilities.
In addition, Ephraim Ogbemudia, Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Oyo State Command, emphasized that fairness, dignity, accessibility, and respect for human rights are core principles in the service’s daily interactions with the public. Ogbemudia, represented by Superintendent of Immigration, Aisha Mohammed, reiterated the command’s commitment to collaborating with relevant government institutions and stakeholders in promoting professional, accessible, and rights-based service delivery for PWDs.
Representatives from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Oyo State pledged to ensure the inclusion of programmes catering to PWDs in their operations. The Oyo State Chairman of the Joint Association of PWD, Mr Kolawole Abiodun, remarked that PWDs in Nigeria face numerous challenges, particularly during encounters with security agencies. Abiodun urged security agencies and government at all levels to address the challenges facing PWDs.