To enhance Police service delivery to include consent, accountability, trust, inclusiveness, and rule of law, the Nigeria Police Force has launched the NPF Special Desk for Persons with Disabilities in all Police Commands and Formations in the country.
The Special Desk is an advocacy desk that enables the Force to avail Persons with Disabilities unfettered access to Police services without discrimination or stereotype as well as give full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
To commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, had approved the establishment of the Special Desk in December 2020.
On Thursday, the IGP and delegates from the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities launched and unveiled the Nigeria Police Special Disability Desk Emblem at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
“Persons with Disabilities 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, dignity and must be accorded due services without being discriminated,” IGP Baba intoned.
“Today is important for the disabled community of Nigeria because they will have freedom from discrimination. Before today, no law supports their rights,” the President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Adullahi Usman, said.
“Some experiences Persons with Disabilities are subjected to can only be imagined. Today is the day of liberation for over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities. We can see in reality that the Police is truly the friend of the people,” the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disability, Mr. James David Lalu, added.
The Board Chairman, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Governing Council, Dr. Husseini Kangiwa, noted that in the past when there is a case that involve Persons with Disabilities, the Police do not give it regards. However, the IGP’s concern has changed the narrative.
According to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiyaa Umar Farouq, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mura Bashir Alkali, laws made without enforcement are like
mere words without action, therefore, she expressed gratitude to the IGP on this feat.
She further appealed that the IGP consider Persons with Disabilities in future Police recruitment exercises according to sections 28 and 29 of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, adding that when given opportunity and the right environment they can contribute immensely to the development of the
nation.
The NPF Special Desk for Persons with Disability will be domiciled at the Police Public Relations Offices in Commands nationwide.
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