Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Auwal Musa Muhammad, has assured stakeholders that the command would actively collaborate with them to tackle the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) in the state.
Muhammad gave the assurance at a one-day training on SGBV, which was organised by the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, which was held yesterday at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi.
He said that “gender-based violence is a serious anomaly being perpetuated by some ’idiots’ in the in society.
According to him, “as far as I am concerned their mental faculties must be checked because they are behaving like animals.”
The police commissioner promised that the command was ready to explore all avenues to tackle SGBV in the state, adding that “I want to assure you that on our own part all the effects being made by the office of the First Lady both national and state, we are going to on our own part support all the procedures mentioned in the prosecution process we will abide by it.
“We will try as much as possible to sensitise and professioalise our men to try to do their work so that we get constituted.”
He commended NAWOJ for organising the training for its members on SGBV, saying that it was a good step in the right direction.
While calling on journalists to use their platforms to sensitise women SGBV, he warned that it must not be covered up.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank you and congratulate you. God will reward your efforts to fight this menace.
“History and posterity will judge you right in whatever you do right as far as the struggle is concern”.
In her welcome remarks, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Bauchi State, Mrs. Rashida Yusuf Mohammed, appreciated the Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders for attending the training despite their tight schedules.
The NAWOJ’s chairperson disclosed that 25 journalists drawn from various media organisations in the state attended the training.
She said: “You are all aware that the present administration in the state in 2022 signed into law the VARR that will eliminate all forms of violence and punish those found guilty. It is on that note that we are gathered here.
“As women journalists to see how we can equip ourselves on how to address cases of SGBV, which have become rampant in our society.”
In his contribution, DSP. Ahmed Garba, the Gender Officer of the Command, disclosed that between January and June 2023, no fewer than 1, 501 cases of SGBV were reported.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Esther Patrick, the Gender Officer of the state ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, said a dashboard had been introduced in the ministry for proper documentation of cases of SGBV.
