The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has approved the establishment of a Special Desk for Persons with Disability in all the Police Zonal and State Commands across the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The approval, which was contained in a statement issued today, 3 December, 2021, by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, CP Frank Mba, is coming on the occassion of the observance of the 2021International Day of Persons With Disabilities, IDPD.
TheFact Nigeria reports that the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
According to the IGP, the decision by the Force leadership to set up the Disability Desk was informed by the need to ensure that the NPF remains at the fore of contemporary policing practice which also advocates mainstreaming and inclusiveness for Persons With Disability.
This decision, the Police Chief disclosed, follows exhaustive deliberations with the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disability, NCPWD, Mr James David Lalu, who led delegates from the Commision to the Force Headquarters on an advocacy visit to the IGP.
The NPF Special Desk for Persons with Disability is to be domiciled at the Police Public Relations Offices in Commands nationwide, and would serve as advocacy desk to enable the Force avail the PWD with unfettered access to policing services, promoting the dignity of their person, preventing stigmatization and stereotyping of PWDs, and giving full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (prohibition) Act, 2018.
In addition, the IGP approved a training program for Police personnel who are to serve as the Disability Desk Officers (DDO) under the coordination of the Force Public Relations Department. The training is being organized in partnership with the NCPWD.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, who appreciated the IGP for the establishment of the Special Desk, expressed his belief that the initiative would go a long way in alleviating the numerous challenges faced by the PWD in the country.
Consequently, the IGP has directed all the Command Commissioners of Police, CPs, and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, to supervise the nomination of the DDOs and ensure hitch-free takeoff of the Disability Desk Offices in their respective Commands.
IGP Baba restated the commitment of the Force to ensuring adequate protection of the rights and privileges of citizens with any form of disability in the country.
