By Ademola Ade
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has pledged to strengthen the protection of persons with disabilities (PWDs), promising continuous sensitisation and retraining programmes for police officers to ensure they are treated with dignity, respect and professionalism.
Ojajuni gave the assurance while receiving the leadership of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ogun State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to the Police Command headquarters at Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The pledge signals a renewed push towards inclusive policing and improved police-community relations, particularly in addressing the challenges persons with disabilities face when seeking assistance or interacting with security agencies.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, and made available to journalists in Abeokuta.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to human rights protection, social inclusion and equal treatment under the law, insisting that disability must never become a basis for discrimination.
“Persons with disabilities are complete Nigerian citizens who must never be treated as second-class citizens. The Command recognises and respects the fundamental rights of all citizens without discrimination,” Ojajuni declared.
He stressed that having a disability does not diminish an individual’s constitutional rights, adding that the Command would continue to uphold the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as international best practices in human rights enforcement.
Officers undergo special training
Ojajuni said the proposed sensitisation and retraining programmes would equip police personnel with the knowledge, empathy and professional skills required to understand and respond appropriately to the peculiar needs of persons with different forms of disabilities.
He noted that improved awareness among officers was essential to preventing discriminatory practices, communication barriers and situations that could expose vulnerable citizens to violations of their fundamental rights.
The commissioner also assured JONAPWD of the Command’s continued partnership, promising that the police would remain proactive in safeguarding the security, welfare and rights of persons with disabilities across Ogun State.
JONAPWD seeks stronger police partnership
Earlier, the Ogun State Chairman of JONAPWD, Mr Awobona Ayodele, commended the commissioner and his management team for the warm and dignified reception accorded the delegation.
Ayodele described JONAPWD as the umbrella organisation representing persons with disabilities in Nigeria, established in 1992 to advocate and promote their rights, welfare and social inclusion.
He highlighted the peculiar challenges and vulnerabilities confronting persons with disabilities, particularly during interactions with security agencies, and called for a strategic partnership with the police to address disability-related concerns.
According to him, collaboration between the association and the Command would promote a more inclusive approach to policing through specialised training, sensitisation and capacity-building programmes.
The JONAPWD chairman specifically urged the police to train officers on how to identify, communicate and interact appropriately with people living with different forms of disabilities.
He maintained that greater awareness and understanding among security personnel would help prevent avoidable misunderstandings, discrimination and possible violations of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Ayodele also pledged the association’s full support and continued cooperation with the Ogun State Police Command in its efforts to build a safer and more inclusive society.
The delegation included members of the association’s executive council and heads of its various disability clusters across the state.
The visit underscores the growing importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and disability-rights organisations in ensuring that vulnerable groups enjoy equal protection, dignity and access to justice.
With the proposed police retraining initiative, stakeholders are hopeful that persons with disabilities will experience more accessible, respectful and responsive policing across Ogun State.
