The Ondo State Police Command has expressed readiness to collaborate with civil society organisations to strengthen responses to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), protect human rights and improve healthcare service delivery for vulnerable groups across the state.

The commitment was made by the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, during an advocacy visit by officials of the Precious Petals Empowerment Centre (PPEC) and the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) at the Police Command headquarters in Akure on Monday.

The delegation, comprising representatives of PPEC, NEPWHAN, the State HIV/AIDS Programme Office and the media, visited the commissioner to formally introduce the organisations and seek the command’s support for the implementation of the Global Fund GC-7 N-THRIP Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project in the state.

Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Director of PPEC, Mrs. Stella Nathaniel, explained that the Community-Led Monitoring project focuses on identifying gaps in healthcare service delivery, promoting accountability and transparency in health facilities, and improving services for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Key Populations (KP).

She noted that the project also seeks stronger collaboration with security agencies in addressing Gender-Based Violence, protecting human rights and improving referral and reporting systems among communities, health facilities and law enforcement agencies.

Nathaniel stressed the need for the Nigeria Police Force to support efforts aimed at safeguarding vulnerable persons and ensuring that cases of rights violations and GBV are promptly addressed.

She added that effective collaboration between stakeholders would enhance community trust and improve access to justice and healthcare services.

Responding, Commissioner Ohagwu commended the delegation for the visit and acknowledged the importance of the issues raised. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting vulnerable individuals and tackling cases of Gender-Based Violence across the state.

According to him, initiatives that promote accountability, human rights protection and improved healthcare services are critical to community development and justice delivery.

The police commissioner assured the organisations of the command’s willingness to build a productive partnership that would guarantee prompt responses to reported cases and ensure justice for victims of human rights abuses.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing optimism about future collaboration. The commissioner pledged the full support of the Ondo State Police Command towards the implementation of the Community-Led Monitoring project and the strengthening of GBV response mechanisms in the state.