Lagos partners police on violent crimes

Lagos—In line with the Lagos State Government’s zero tolerance to issues of sexual and gender-based violence, the State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has entered into partnership with the Nigerian Police on the best strategies to adopt in handling issues relating to such crime.

The DSVRT had specifically presented copies of sexual offences related laws namely the Child’s rights law, 2007; Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007; and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 to the Nigeria Police to familiarize itself with the relevant laws.

The presentation, which took place at the weekend and attended by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Ajani Owoseni, along with some Deputy Commissioners of Police and other top level officers, as well as members of the DSVRT.

A statement signed by DSVRT Coordinator, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the provision of the laws was one of the various initiatives adopted to improve the capacity of the police in responding to reports of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, maltreatment and neglect.

She added that the availability of the laws would serve as a most resourceful tool for investigation and rightful prosecution where applicable.

The Commissioner of Police, Owoseni, whilst receiving the laws on behalf of the Nigeria Police, reaffirmed the commitment and partnership of the police towards eradicating sexual and gender-based violence and crimes in the state.