Ebinum Samuel
The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing social inclusion, safeguarding human rights, and strengthening community relations as the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, received the leadership of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ogun State Chapter, during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police image maker, said the delegation was led by the State Chairman, Mr. Awobona Ayodele, alongside executive members and heads of the various disability clusters representing the association.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Ayodele expressed profound gratitude to the Commissioner of Police and his management team for the warm and dignified reception accorded the delegation. He described JONAPWD as the umbrella body for persons with disabilities in Nigeria, established in 1992 to advocate for, represent, and promote the rights, welfare, and social inclusion of PWDs nationwide.
Highlighting the unique vulnerabilities faced by persons with disabilities in society, the Chairman advocated a strategic partnership with the Command, particularly in disability management and specialized sensitization programs for police personnel. He emphasized the need for training officers on identifying and interacting appropriately with PWDs, while pledging the association’s unalloyed support and continued cooperation with the Police Command.
In his response, CP Bode Ojajuni expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and commended their commitment to self-advocacy and civic engagement. He emphasized that persons with disabilities are complete Nigerian citizens who must never be treated as second-class citizens, adding that the Command recognizes and respects the fundamental rights of all citizens without discrimination.
CP Ojajuni noted that disability does not diminish or strip away the inherent constitutional rights of any individual, stressing that the Ogun State Police Command remains guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 (as amended) and international best practices in human rights enforcement.
To further operationalize this commitment, the Commissioner assured the delegation that the Command would organize continuous sensitization and retraining programs for police officers to enhance their capacity, empathy, and professional conduct when handling and serving persons with disabilities.
Concluding his remarks, CP Ojajuni pledged the Command’s unwavering support to JONAPWD and assured them that the police will continue to proactively safeguard their rights, security, and well-being across Ogun State.
