UNICEF, SOSG Train Stakeholders on Police Standard Procedures

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), with support from the European Union (EU) and Sokoto State Ministry of Justice, has organised a workshop on the Nigerian Police Standard Operating Procedures (NPSOPs) for children who came in contact with the law.

Speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Ali Hayattu, said that the development of the NSSOPs demonstrated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure child friendly policing in the country.

Hayattu said that the NPSOPs would offer strategic framework and clear guidelines on procedures for providing services for children and also facilitate timely access to justice.

He added that the workshop would build capacity of police officers to enable them to appreciate issues involving children.

The police commissioner added that the workshop would go a long way to enlighten security agencies, human rights activists, civil society organisations, Human Right Commission and the judiciary on the issues involving children in a professional manner.

On her part, the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Ms. Nkiru Maduechesi, added that best results for child protection are attained with specialisation. 

According to Maduechesi, the essence of the standard operating procedures (SOP) is to ensure a separate system of justice that upholds the rights of children, preserves their welfare and dignity, protect them from harm, abuses and support their continued development, rehabilitation and reintegration.

She added that the acceptable principles of the SOP are for the best interest of the child, which include safety, heath, development, protection, right to life, right of opinion, dignity and self-worth, prevention of offence, minimising delay, protection of privacy, proportionality of response, use of alternative measures as well as rehabilitation and reintegration rather than retribution and punishment.

Earlier, the Chief UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Ms. Maryam Darwesh Sai’d, said in an interview that the aim of the workshop is to enable the Nigeria police to have child friendly procedures.

Sai’d said that the workshop would help to guide participants on standard operating procedure in handling cases involving children who are victims, survivors or witnesses of crime as well as that of children in conflict.

Also speaking, the Sokoto State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Aishatu Ahmad Kaoje, appealed to investigators to be diligent and humane in carrying out their duties to the best interest of the victims.

In her contribution, the Assistant Director, Ministry of Justice and Sokoto State Focal Person, Justice Partnership, Habiba Ahmed Usman, disclosed that 85 participants, including women were drawn from Illela, Binji, Tangaza, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Bodinga and Denge Shuni local government areas respectively for the training.