8Ota Area Commander, ACP Agbonika, Ogun
POWA Chairperson, Mrs. Ajogun, wife of Ogun state governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and Obas in a group photograph at the FSU inauguration in Ota, Ogun state on Tuesday
By Folake Sokoya
Ogun state governor’s wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has expressed concern over the increase in domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence in the state.
Mrs. Abiodun disclosed this on Tuesday November 10,2020 during the inauguration of the Family Support Unit (FSU) at Sango Police Area Commander Office.
She said it is high time individuals take up the mantle of ensuring that gender based violence and domestic violence become history.
“When perpetrators of crime know that they will face the consequences of their actions, they will think twice before engaging in those kinds of acts.” Mrs Abiodun said.
She described the police Family Support Unit as a safe haven where people, no matter how young or old, could come forward and speak up without fear of intimidation or stigmatisation.
The newly inaugurated family support unit building at the OTA area command Ogun state
The Area Commander, Sango Ota Area Command, ACP Monday Agbonika in his welcome address at the official opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Family Support Unit (FSU) Ota said that one of the initiatives of FSU unit was to be an upgrade of the traditional Nigeria PolicecJuvenile Welfare Centre.
He noted that in addition to the normal JWC cases of juvenile offences of missing/found children,sexual offences against minors,the FSU unit also handles all Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Domestic Violence (DV) cases.
Agbonika pointed out that when he reported as the Area Commander last year, he realised that there was a high incidence of GBV/DV cases in the community and the cases were not being reported because of stigmatisation and other similar considerations.
He commended the effort of the wife of the state governor, Mrs Abiodun for her role in supporting the cause and providing logistic support and training of officers manning the unit.
The wife of the Commissioner of Police and chairperson of Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs Habiba Ajogun, described the initiative as first of its kind in the history of the command. She expressed satisfaction with the facilities and assured that the state will win the fight against gender based and domestic violence cases. She urged that all individual have a role to play to achieve such aim.
Meanwhile, The Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege in his speech said men make the mistake of always oppressing and dominating women because God has made men the head
Olota stated further that instead of oppressing women, men instead should see women as their partner in progress.
“Because of the oppressive nature of men, we see woman as a weaker vessel, which is not supposed to be so, we should always see them as our partner, in my palace I always have cases of gender based violence which they always brought before me on daily basis.
“I want to appeal to all men and woman that we all have a role to play in the reduction of cases of gender based violence and rape in the society.
“if women have a happy home and take good care of their children the case of rape and gender based violence would reduce, on the judiciary they also have significant role to play in prosecuting rape suspects, police should also let the law takes is cause in the fight against assaults on women and children.” Obalanlege said.
The Secretary/Operation Manager for the Advocate For Children and Valueable Persons Network ( ACVPN), Comrade Ebenezer Omejalile while speaking with journalists said the advocate came to facilitate with the area commander and FSU staffs.
“ACVPN is an advocacy that protects vulnerable persons,adults and children,who are victims of gender based violence,sexual crimes or other abuses like trafficking.
“We are here to show solidarity with the area commander,ACP Monday Agbonika who started the family support unit when he was serving in Lagos state before he was transferred to Ogun state.
Representatives of Advocate for children and vulnerable persons at the inauguration ceremony of the family support unit in Ota, Ogun state on Tuesday.
“He extended the unit to Sango-Ota command where he is serving presently which is the first of it’s kind in Ogun state.
“The relationship that exist between ACVPN and FSU is that we send/refer Child Abuse Cases, Domestic Violence cases, Physical Assualt/Abuse, Defilement, Rape cases and Child/Family Neglect to the FSU. We manage cases, arrest of perpetrators and ensure that they are duly and appropriately prosecuted. ACVPN also assist the FSU in financing cases and work stations where necessary and also involve program exchange.” Omejalile said
