By Hassan Zaggi
In order to ensure equity, justice and fairness for People Living with Disability (PWD), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has created a special desk christened NPF Special Disability Desk.
The desk is to be domicile at the Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja and the National Centre for Persons with Disability (NCPWD), to coordinate the activities of the Desk Offices, identify and provide training needs to Police personnel who will serve as the Disability Desk Officers (DDO) to enable us achieve the stated objectives of alleviating the numerous challenges faced by Persons with Disability in the country, especially as related to police services.
While launching the Desk in Abuja, recently, the IGP said: “I am confident that this initiative, would amongst other benefits, help in bridging any hitherto existing gap between the Nigeria Police and the Persons with Disability with a view to ensuring justice and equality for this important strata of our society.”
The IGP explained: “The NPF Special Desk for the Persons with Disability (PWD) is an advocacy desk to give effect to this noble course to enable the Force avail Persons With Disability unfettered access to police services, promote the dignity of their person, discourage stigmatization and stereotyping, and give full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (prohibition) Act, 2018.”
According to him, even though “Persons with Disability may be different in a kind but are certainly equal to us all. By law and global Protocols, they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and must be accorded due services without being discriminated against in any way.”
The IGP said that the Nigeria Police under his watch remained committed to well-thought-out and goal-driven innovations such as the Special Disability Desk being launched.
“In firmly supporting this initiative, all Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in our respective Zonal and State Commands and the FCT have been adequately briefed on the essence of the Special Disability Desk and have been directed to ensure its functionality as situated under the Police Public Relations Offices across the Federation,” the IGP said.
IGP Baba recalled that on December 3, 2021, as part of the programs lined up by the Force to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disability, he approved the establishment of Special Disability Desks in Police Commands and Formations, nationwide.
The initiative, according to him, was informed by the resolve of the current Police leadership to ensure that the Force remains at the fore front of contemporary policing practices which also advocates mainstreaming and inclusiveness for Persons with Disability in our broad internal security framework.
“Let me quickly note that upon my appointment as the Inspector General of Police, I set out to run a Police Force that is committed, not only to fighting crimes and enhancing public safety in the country, but also to continually advance police service delivery within the framework of citizens’ consent, accountability, trust, inclusiveness, and the rule of law.
“ What we are witnessing today is one of such initiatives to further entrench this policy thrust towards ensuring that our officers across boards are civil, polite and professional at all times,” the IGP said.
