SGBV: Bauchi CP assures of collaboration with stakeholders to fight menace

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Commissioner of police, Auwal Musa Muhammad, has assur4 that the command would actively collaborate with stakeholders to tackle the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) in the state.

The CP gave the assurance at a one-day training on SGBV organised by the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Bauchi State chapter held at the NUJ Secretariat, Bauchi, on Wednesday.

“Gender-based violence is a serious anomaly being perpetuated by some ’idiots’ in the in society,” he stated.

“As far as I am concern their mental faculties must be checked because they are behaving like animals”

The CP promised that the command was ready to explore all avenues to tackle SGBV in the state.

“I want to assure you that on our own part all the effects being made by the office of the First Lady both at the national and state levels, we are going to on our own part support all the procedures mentioned in the prosecution process we will abide by it,” he stated.

“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 organizing the training for its members saying it was a good step in the right direction.

He urged journalists to use their platforms to sensitise women on SGBV warning that it must not be covered up.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank you and congratulate you,” he said.

“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 remark, Chairperson of NAWOJ in the state, Mrs Rashida Yusuf Mohammed, appreciated the Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders for attending the training despite their tight schedules

The NAWOJ Chairperson disclosed that 25 journalists drawn from various media organizations in the state attended the training.

“ 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,” Rashida Mohammed

“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”

She urged participants to put to use all they learnt in the training to ensure that the state in particular and the country as a whole is rid of SGBV.

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

Patrick said the state had launched a technical team on gender where desk officers work closely with other relevant ministries, agencies and parastatals to tackle the menace.