Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has conducted a week-long Pre-Deployment Training on Preventing the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict held at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The programme was declared open by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, represented by AIG Aminu Baba Raji, AIG Training and Development and fully equipped officers with child-sensitive policing during internal security operations. This was contained in a statement signed by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The programme was delivered in partnership with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, featuring international facilitators and certified Nigeria Police Trainers-of-Trainers. Officers were trained to detect and prevent child recruitment and to recognize that children associated with armed groups are primarily victims deserving confidentiality, empathy, and protection.
In his remarks, the IGP stressed that children remain among the most vulnerable in situations of violence and that their recruitment by armed actors whether as fighters, spies, or in other roles, is a grave violation of their rights and a threat to national security. He emphasized the need for officers deployed to conflict-affected areas to identify these risks and respond with professionalism, sensitivity, and gender-responsive approaches.
The training further strengthened existing Nigeria Police child-protection initiatives such as the Safer Schools Programme and POCACOV. A total of 25 officers were certified as ready for deployment to conflict-affected areas.
IGP Egbetokun expressed appreciation to the organizers for their support and assured that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding human rights and enhancing child-protection capacity through continuous training and strong partnerships.
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