Female police officers in Lagos State took to the streets on Saturday to raise awareness on the ills of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to celebrate 70 years of women in policing.

The awareness walk, held in Lagos, highlighted the achievements of female officers and underscored the police command’s ongoing commitment to protecting citizens and promoting gender equality within the force.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Olohundare Jimoh, praised female officers for their contributions and pledged greater institutional support.

According to him, GBV remains a serious criminal issue that will be investigated and prosecuted, urging both women and men to speak out and take action.

“I will continue to encourage women to speak out, and I will continue to encourage men to understand that justice belongs to them too.

“GBV is not an urban issue or  women’s issue, it is a criminal matter,” he said.

Mr Jimoh acknowledged the challenges in tackling domestic and sexual violence across the country, calling for collaboration between police officers, civil society, and the public to prevent abuse and create safer communities.

The commissioner also highlighted the increasing presence of women in leadership positions, including several serving as Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).

“Some women in the force often demonstrate exceptional performance, sometimes surpassing their male counterparts.

“I encourage more women to take up leadership roles, ” he said.

The police boss also honoured officers who had lost their lives in service, including CSP Matilda Ngbaronye of FESTAC Division, whose tenure was marked by significantly reduced crime in her area.

He said that the awareness walk not only celebrated 70 years of women in policing but also served as a public reminder of the command’s dedication to fighting GBV and promoting inclusivity, professionalism, and accountability within the force.

The executive director of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, urged female officers to report any form of abuse and emphasised that violence can affect anyone, regardless of profession or class.

She reaffirmed DSVA’s partnership with the police in promoting ethics, accountability, and support for victims within the force.

The assistant commissioner of police in charge of Administration, Mary Anyim, expressed pride in how far women had advanced within the Lagos Command.

She highlighted the growing number of women leading key units and encouraged younger officers to remain dedicated, citing her 25-year journey as an example of hard work, sacrifice, and excellence.

Also, Area commanders Veronica Ameh (Area G) and Sholla Omilade (Area H), reflected on the courage, resilience, and dedication of female officers.

They noted the challenges of balancing family and career, described policing as a universal and rewarding profession, and encouraged young girls to consider a career in law enforcement.

They urged the public to recognise the challenges officers faced and emphasised that their primary goal was the protection of every citizen. 

(NAN)