Our Reporter
The Womens Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) has called for a better funding of the police to enable them investigate cases of gender violence and rape.
WRAHP Executive Director, Bose Ironsi, said cases are sometimes frustrated because investigators lack funds to travel.
She spoke during a training and capacity building for junior police officers organised by WRAHP and supported by the European Union (EU), British Council and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC).
Ironsi said: “The Police need funding to do their job. Police can also train the public in crime prevention. The police community relation is also very critical. It would help the community to see the police from a different perspective.”
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Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said funding remains critical for effective enforcement.
“The leadership of the police has taken up the issue of funding with government, to find means of funding the police through the Police Trust Fund, since the government alone cannot adequately fund the police.
“Investigation is expensive; it can’t be borne by a traumatised survivor or by the accused, to avoid him dictating the pace of the investigation.
“It cannot be borne by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) from his salary, which is barely enough. If we want to end rape and defilement, we must talk critically about funding.
“To take practical steps to end rape, organisations and individuals that have the means should support the Police,” Elkana said.
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