The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Niger State Branch, has called on the Niger State Police Command to fully enforce the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act as part of efforts to curb violence against individuals.
FIDA Chairperson, Mrs. Bolanle Jibogun, made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, at the State Police Headquarters in Minna.
Mrs. Jibogun stressed the importance of prosecuting gender-based violence (GBV) cases under the VAPP Law, which has been domesticated in the state.
“Sensitisation and awareness against GBV are priorities for FIDA,”;; she said. “We are advocating for greater use of the VAPP Act to tackle the menace of GBV, as the Penal Code does not adequately address these issues.”;;
She cited common but often overlooked offenses under the law, such as sending a wife away from her home, physical abuse, and withdrawing a child from school.
The FIDA Chairperson also urged the police to organize training and sensitization programs for officers on the provisions of the VAPP Law, noting that the law offers protection not only to women and children but to all persons.
In response, CP Elleman assured the group of the police command’s commitment to enforcing the law. He directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to prosecute applicable cases under the VAPP Law.
The Commissioner commended FIDA’s role in combating GBV and acknowledged the VAPP Law’s effectiveness in enhancing legal outcomes in such cases.
