Group urges Amotekun officers to intensify fight against gender-based violence

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation has urged female officers of the Southwest Security Network, also known as Amotekun, to take the lead in combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the region.

While stressing the critical role played by community security agencies in addressing issues of gender-based violence, harassment, and human rights abuses, the organisation said their involvement is crucial for victims to get justice.

Executive Director of BBFORPEACE, Rafiu-Adeniran Lawal, stated this at the training of trainers for female Amotekun officers on mainstreaming gender and human rights in community policing and security.

The training, conducted with the support of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) and the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), aimed at building the capacities of security agents against arbitrary conduct and human rights violations, while also supporting the establishment of gender units within the Amotekun Corps.

Participants included selected female personnel from the Amotekun Corps in Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo states, as well as representatives from the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

Lawal, represented by the foundation’s Director of Programmes, Stephanie Effevottu, noted that the dialogue on mainstreaming gender and human rights in community policing is both important and critical.

Stephanie acknowledged the significant role the Amotekun Corps plays in addressing security challenges in the Southwest states, adding that the training builds on the foundation laid during a similar programme for the corps in 2023 on Ethics and Human Rights Frameworks in Community Policing.

She encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity, stressing that the knowledge and skills gained should not just be for personal development but also for addressing gender-sensitive issues and improving peace and security in the region.

Barrister Titilayo Asabia, a representative of the DAWN Commission, noted that Amotekun was created by the governors of the six Southwest states to safeguard lives and property, focusing on partnerships between security agencies and the communities they serve.

She underscored the need for gender mainstreaming in security, stressed that the experiences of women, men, marginalised groups, and young people differ, and security measures must reflect these differences.

Asabia urged participants to take the skills and experience back to their various stations and train others.

Testimony Omole of the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) introduced the AGFCS as a coalition of over 100 civil society organisations, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists working to safeguard Nigeria’s civic space from restrictions.

He discussed the Security Playbook research conducted by the AGFCS and explained how the findings informed the current training.