CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, AIG Simeon U Akpanudom, has led members of his leadership team on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration in the fight against domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ASP Mayegun Aminat.
While welcoming the delegation, the Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, expressed appreciation for the visit and highlighted the longstanding and strategic partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the Agency.
She emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare of survivors, noting that victims of domestic and sexual violence require continuous support and care to recover from the trauma associated with such experiences.
Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi acknowledged the critical role of the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring access to justice for survivors through diligent investigations and the successful prosecution of offenders. She noted that available statistics indicate that the Police have made significant contributions to securing justice for victims and obtaining convictions against perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence.
She further highlighted the impact of the agency’s collaboration with the Police, including improved survivor referral pathways, increased prosecution of perpetrators, enhanced inter-agency response mechanisms, greater confidence among survivors in reporting incidents, and a reduction in secondary victimization through coordinated case management and handling.
The Executive Secretary appealed for the establishment of a Gender-Based Violence Desk within the FCID Annex, Lagos, as well as the implementation of capacity-building programmes for detectives and support for furnishing the proposed office. She also called for enhanced collaboration with the FCID Annex, Lagos, being the apex investigative arm of the Nigeria Police Force, to strengthen responses to domestic and sexual violence cases and improve access to justice for survivors.
In his response, AIG Akpanudom thanked the Executive Secretary and the staff of the DSVA for the warm reception accorded to him and his team. He reaffirmed the existing partnership between both institutions and reiterated the commitment of the FCID Annex, Lagos, to professionalism, objectivity, and strict adherence to established investigative procedures in the handling of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence cases.
The AIG stated that the visit was aimed at further strengthening cooperation and fostering more effective responses to cases of domestic assault, sexual violence, and other gender-based offences across Lagos State. He welcomed the proposal for the establishment of a Gender-Based Violence Desk within the FCID Annex, describing it as a demonstration of the Department’s commitment to sustained synergy and collaboration with the agency.
AIG Akpanudom further commended the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency for the establishment and effective management of the Sexual Offenders Register, describing it as a laudable initiative that has significantly enhanced efforts to monitor offenders, support investigations, and promote accountability within the criminal justice system.
He urged the agency to maintain close collaboration with the leadership of the FCID Annex whenever assistance is required, noting that engaging the head of the formation would facilitate seamless coordination, prompt intervention, and the efficient resolution of matters of mutual concern.
Furthermore, the AIG acknowledged the importance of leveraging the robust database of the Sexual Offenders Register and noted that integrating relevant conviction records with the Central Criminal Registry would significantly enhance documentation and ensure the continuous updating of criminal databases. He emphasized that maintaining accurate and comprehensive records would strengthen intelligence gathering, support investigations, and assist law enforcement agencies in identifying, monitoring, and tracking serial offenders.
The visit concluded with renewed commitments from both organizations to deepen collaboration, strengthen victim-centred approaches, and enhance the criminal justice response to domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State.