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Rivers Police Decry Spate Of Gender-Based Violence
Police officers in Rivers State have declared that they are wholly committed to reducing violence and protect lives and properties in the state. They promised to work hard towards ensuring that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, VAPP is domesticated and enforced in the state, adding that violence can be reduced if the government demonstrates political will to support prosecution of culprits and enforcement of the law.
The declaration was made during a one day training of officers and men of the Rivers state police command on VAPP Act and gender based violence organized recently in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital by a Port Harcourt based NGO, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD with support by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria.
Marsha Nwanne, CEHRD Gender officer who co-facilitated the training with Queen Agba and David Vareba on behalf of CEHRD disclosed that the training was organized to draw the attention of the law enforcement officers to the need for the VAPP Act to be domesticated in the state and to prepare their minds on how to use the Act when domesticated as a weapon for fighting gender based violence in the society.
He noted that the level of gender based violence in the state such as rape, wife battery, female genital mutilation among others is alarming and require concerted efforts by security operatives to be combated, adding that the onus of protecting citizens from violence lies with the police.
In their presentations, a human rights lawyer, Barr Koko and Marsha Nwanne presented an overview of the VAPP Act, explaining the provisions of the act and the roles of the police as specified by the Act. They noted that the Act is holistic and all encompassing and clearly enumerates what constitutes violence against persons, as well as punishments facing defaulters. “It seeks to protect people from all forms of violence against citizens.
The Act even criminalizes forms of violence that are encouraged by culture and tradition such as harmful widowhood practices and female genital mutilation”, said the trainers, adding that it widens the scope of every forms of offences against persons. It prohibits all forms of violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, domestic and harmful traditional practices and discrimination against persons.
It also provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims, and punishment of offenders.
The police officers who were drawn from different divisions in the state commended CEHRD and its partners for the training. They agreed that there is need for reduction of violence in the state and that violence, including politically induced violence can be reduced if the authorities take the issue of enforcement of the law and prosecution of culprits serious.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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