Abuja: CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has successfully trained 20 Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Plateau to enhance their response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), improve investigations, protect victims, and promote accountability.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Executive Director, Mr. Peter Maduoma, expressed that the specialized training aimed at building the officers’ capacities to prevent GBV. Represented by Mrs. Chigozirim Okoro, CLEEN Programme Manager, Maduoma emphasized that prevention remains a strategic and cost-effective approach. He highlighted the importance of equipping officers not just to manage GBV after it occurs but to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Maduoma stressed that prevention is the most strategic and cost-effective form of policing, as preventing GBV cases can avert potential escalation into more severe issues such as murder investigations, child protection emergencies, or wider community crises. He cited alarming statistics indicating that Nigeria is facing a serious and growing GBV crisis, with one in three women aged 15 to 49 having experienced physical violence. Furthermore, one in four women have suffered intimate partner violence, with low reporting rates due to survivors’ skepticism about the effectiveness of reporting.
Participants in the training were equipped to map GBV risks within their jurisdictions, understand community dynamics that enable abuse, examine legal and institutional frameworks, and develop practical prevention action plans for their divisions.
In his remarks, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Training and Development, Ishaku Mohammed, commended CLEEN Foundation for its continued partnership in enhancing police capacity on contemporary security and human rights issues. Represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Babagana Galadima, Mohammed acknowledged the significant social and security concerns posed by GBV, which have far-reaching consequences for victims, families, and society.
Mohammed highlighted the pivotal role DPOs play in responding to and preventing GBV through community engagement, early intervention, victim-centered policing, and enforcement of relevant laws. He described the training as timely and strategic, aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of GBV prevention frameworks and enhancing their investigative and response capacities. Mohammed urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve service delivery, professionalism, and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
One of the participants, DPO Lydia Venchit, expressed appreciation for the training, stating that it had significantly enhanced her knowledge and skills in handling GBV cases, victim protection, investigations, and accountability. She committed to sharing the knowledge gained with other officers in her division.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the two-day training was held on Wednesday and Friday.