By Rakiya A.Muhammad
As issues affecting children in contact with the law came to the fore in Sokoto, northwest Nigeria, stakeholders have urged child-friendly policing practices and improving access to justice.
At an orientation workshop on the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)for handling Children in contact with the law, they noted such children, whether in police, prosecutors, departments, or the judiciary, require procedures that are sensitive and responsive to their specific needs and circumstances.
Child-friendly procedures highlighted include using language suitable for their age, utilising safe and conformable interviewing spaces and providing support by appropriate adults.
Others are linkages with social welfare and sector services, availability of trauma-informed interview and testimony processes, timely provision of services, and adaptation of proceeding protocols and information management systems for evidence-based services delivery.
Chief UNICEF field office Sokoto, Maryam Darwesh Sa’id, underscored the need to handle children with dignity and ensure they feel safe whether they are victims or witnesses.
On the Nigeria Police Force Standard Operating Procedure developed with the support of UNICEF and the European Union, she described the document as very important in upholding the right of children, protecting them from harm and abuse, and ensuring rehabilitation and reintegration.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Police Muhammad Ali Hayattu noted the SOPs offer strategic frameworks and clear guidelines on procedures for providing services for children and facilitating timely access to justice.
He expressed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure child-friendly policing in Nigeria.
Also, DSP Mavi Ogbaudu, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Department, Gender Unit Abuja, said SOPs aimed to provide a ground for child-friendly policing practices while enhancing the protective role of the police officers and improving the success of justice for children.
She added it would boost police personnel’s knowledge and skills to deal with children as enshrined in international and national legal standards.
The Sokoto State Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Aishatu Ahmed Kaoje, harped on diligence and professionalism in handling cases.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Sokoto, Aisha Dantsoho, noted that using standard operating procedures would go a long way in safeguarding the dignity of children.
