NPF and NCPWD Jointly Establish Special Desk for PWDs and PWDs-related Matters Nation-wide

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) have established a special desk to hear and resolve matters pertaining to people with disabilities.

The Special Desk was established to avail persons with disabilities unfettered access to police services, and to give full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

A significant milestone in the history of the disability community in Nigeria, the deal was struck Thursday, 6th January 2022 at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Post-implementation, the Nigerian PWD Community now has POLICE BACKING for the protection of their rights in every Police Station nationwide.

Present at the event were key dignitaries, including the ES James Lalu, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Alkali Usman Baba, PS, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nuru Alkali, representing Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,  Distinguished Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, and Chairman, Governing Council, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Huseeni Suleiman Kangiwa.

After implementation, the Police Force will be able to give a special hearing to matters and situations that people with disabilities bring forward. There will be a special desk dedicated to hearing and promoting the rights of people with disabilities in every state of the Federation.

This alliance will see to the compliance and enforcement of the 2018 Act prohibiting the discrimination of Persons With Disabilities.

James David Lalu, Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Speaking at the launch of the special desk for Persons with disabilities held at the Police force headquarters, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu announced that Persons with disabilities now have the full support of men and Officers of Nigeria Police in the protection of their rights and dignity.

A group Photo-op to mark the conclusion of the historical event.

While expressing gratitude to the Inspector General of Police Mr. Alkali Usman Baba, the ES seized the occasion to inform the IG that 35. 5 million PWDs in Nigeria are overwhelmed by the laudable feat and promised that the Commission will always support the Nigeria Police in the enforcement of the 2018 prohibition Act.

Lalu further stated that occasion is a movement that has come to stay and would linger on in the minds of persons with disabilities in the years ahead. 

While reiterating his confidence in the Nigeria Police,  he also said that the desk offices will serve as quick response units which will handle any form of discrimination or abuse against PWDs in any part of the country.

PS Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) Dr. Nuru Alkali Representing FMHADMSD Hon. Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq.

In her keynote address, the Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadia Umar Farouq who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Nura Alkali reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the welfare of Persons With Disabilities. 

She used the platform to urge the Nigeria Police to inculcate the disability curriculum into the police Institute scheme so as to have inclusivity and visibility of PWDs in societal affairs.

Speaking further, Hajia Farouq mentioned that the 2018 Act prohibiting the discrimination of Persons With Disabilities will be “mere statements if not accompanied with enforcement”

Inspector General of Police Mr Alkali Usman Baba.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba in his speech, reassured Persons with Disabilities of the NPF’s commitment to protecting not just the lives and properties of persons with disabilities but, giving maximum coverage to them against social abuse. 

He further said that there is an urgent need to de-stereotyping the mindset of the populace from neglect and dehumanizing attitude towards Persons With Disabilities.

Alkali underpinned that Disability Desk Offices will be operating as focal centers domiciled at the force headquarters in order to continue to bridge the gap between the police and PWDs. 

The National President of Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Mr Abdullahi Aliyu Usman giving a goodwill message.

The Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Abubakar Aliu Usman also expressed absolute gratitude to the Nigeria Police for partnering with the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities to give the entire community of Persons with Disabilities the protection of their fundamental rights as provided by the 2018 Act. 

He said the slogan” Police is your friend” has become a reality by the synergy established today.

The high point of the event was the unveiling of the Logo signifying partnership between the Nigeria Police and the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities.