The Yobe State Police Command has urged the establishment of family courts to handle cases involving minors and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesman, said such courts would protect victims’ identities and improve justice delivery in cases of rape, molestation, and gross indecency.
He highlighted that cultural stigma often discourages families from pursuing justice, noting, “Conducting trials openly exposes the victim and her family to shame.” Abdulkarim called for specialized courts under the Child Protection Law to ensure confidentiality and dignity.
The police noted that Yobe, which domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, recorded over 120 rape cases in 2020, though numbers declined following interventions by development organizations, community sensitization, and awareness campaigns.
He attributed sexual violence to poverty, ignorance, and parental negligence, and called on government agencies, civil society, and media to intensify awareness of VAPP and Child Protection laws.
Abdulkarim reiterated the command’s commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs and development partners to combat GBV and promote child protection in the state.
