Abuja: The Federal Government has announced a collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to educate Nigerians about the legal protections afforded to victims of gunshot injuries. This initiative was highlighted during a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Abuja, where Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), outlined the government’s commitment to raising awareness.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Issa-Onilu, who was represented by Dr Femi Ayiola, NOA’s Director of Health and Social Care, emphasized the agency’s role in informing Nigerians about government policies and promoting national ethics. He noted that many individuals had died due to the requirement for police reports before hospitals provided treatment for gunshot injuries, which delayed emergency care. The government aims to eliminate such delays by ensuring citizens are aware of their rights to immediate medical attention at health facilities without prior police clearance.
Mr James Matthews, Deputy Head of Delegation at ICRC, highlighted that despite a 2017 law guaranteeing prompt medical treatment for gunshot victims without police clearance, delays persisted due to limited public awareness. The partnership with NOA seeks to enhance understanding of these legal provisions through nationwide sensitization efforts.
Matthews further explained that the collaboration would leverage ICRC’s humanitarian expertise and NOA’s communication networks to increase awareness, foster responsible behavior, and ultimately save lives. He stressed the importance of effective implementation of the law to ensure gunshot victims receive the necessary care promptly.