C'River Govt Seeks Collaboration With Security Agencies To Guarantee The Safety And Security of the Vulnerable Population In The State

C'River Govt Seeks Collaboration With Security Agencies To Guarantee The Safety And Security of the Vulnerable Population In The State

The Cross River State Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has sought to partner with the security agencies, particularly, the Nigerian Police to guarantee the safety and security of the vulnerable population in the state

Mrs Helen Isamoh-Egodo PhD, the Honorable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, along with her team, on Wednesday, visited the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Gyogon Augustine Grimah to seek ways of strengthening the existing collaboration and synergy between the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Nigerian Police in the state.

 Dr. Egodo emphasized the need for a strong tie between the ministry and the Nigerian police in enhancing emergency management as well as exploring innovative solutions to addressing the security challenges faced by refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, people living with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations in the state.

The commissioner sought collaboration, particularly, in the area of effectively reducing gender-based violence among refugees and vulnerable individuals through targeted awareness campaigns and the establishment of safe reporting mechanisms. She expressed the ministry's willingness to provide specialized training to police officers on gender-based violence and gender mainstreaming.

She also commented on the issue of illegal migration, suggesting the strengthening of border control measures, such as increasing patrols and utilizing advanced technology for surveillance, to tackle this issue effectively. She proposed the establishment of specialized units or task forces within the police dedicated to addressing crimes against vulnerable populations, such as human trafficking or exploitation.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Gyogon Augustine Grimah, commended Dr. Egodo and her team for their proactive approach in seeking collaboration, restating their commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive Cross River State. He assured them that appropriate security measures would be put in place to prevent any disruptions or harm during their various engagements and field visits.

CP Grimah also pledged to engage relevant bodies and agencies to address illegal migration, enhance emergency preparedness, and ensure the security and safety of refugees, women, people with disabilities, IDPs, and other vulnerable groups in the state.

He further expressed the willingness of the Nigerian police to collaborate with the ministry, assuring that he would engage DPOs (Divisional Police Officers) and other relevant personnel to participate in trainings and engagements focused on gender-based violence and gender mainstreaming whenever the ministry requests.

Present in the meeting also were subordinates of the police commissioner, including, Kabiru Ibrahim, the Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of operation and the public relations Officer. 

Dr. Egodo expressed her profound gratitude to the Commissioner of Police and his subordinates for their time and commitments thus far, emphasising her intention to continue to engage and interact with the Nigerian Police to foster peace and development in the state.

Media Team,

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, 

Cross River State.