The police, in collaboration with the Adamawa Ministry of Justice, have begun the training of 108 police officers to handle gender-based violence (GBV) cases.

The personnel are GBV desk officers drawn from 54 divisional headquarters in the state.

Declaring the three-day training open on Tuesday in Yola, the state commissioner of police, Morris Dankombo, appreciated the state government for its support and cooperation in ensuring security.

Represented by Danjuma Sandare, the deputy commissioner of police (administration), Mr Dankombo, said the training would enhance the officers’ capacity to handle GBV cases professionally.

In her remarks, Adamawa chief judge Hafsat Abdulrahaman commended the police for organising the training, especially for those handling GBV cases.

The chief judge, represented by David John, deputy chief registrar, promised to provide all the necessary support for the successful conduct of the training.

Grace Mamza, state coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), described the training as a great achievement and a welcome development.

She urged the participants to actively participate and ask questions where necessary for clarification.

A GBV associate, Rebecca Akpor, who represented the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), advised the participants to see the training as an opportunity to learn and bring solutions to women and girls’ challenges.

She said UNFPA would continue to support the global fight against GBV.

Ms Akpor appreciated the state police for having more women running GBV desk offices than other states in the federation.

(NAN)