The Nigeria Police Force has concluded a week-long pre-deployment training focused on preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, reinforcing the Force’s commitment to child protection in security operations across the country.
The training, held at the Peacekeeping Hall of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, was declared open by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM. He was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development, AIG Aminu Baba Raji.
Organized in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, the programme brought together international facilitators and certified Nigeria Police trainers. Participants were equipped with practical skills to detect, prevent, and appropriately respond to cases involving the recruitment or use of children by armed groups.
According to the IGP, children remain among the most vulnerable in conflict situations, and their exploitation as fighters, informants, or in other roles constitutes a grave violation of their rights as well as a major threat to national security. He underscored the need for officers deployed to conflict-prone regions to adopt child-sensitive, professional, and gender-responsive approaches while carrying out their duties.
The training also reinforced the Nigeria Police Force’s existing child-protection initiatives, including the Safer Schools Programme and the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), both designed to safeguard young people from violence and exploitation.
At the end of the programme, 25 officers were formally certified as prepared for deployment to areas affected by conflict, having demonstrated a strong understanding of child-protection principles and operational best practices.
IGP Egbetokun expressed gratitude to the Dallaire Institute and other partners for their sustained support. He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to upholding human rights and strengthening child-focused policing through continuous training and strategic collaboration.
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