Group implores security agencies to avoid brutalising PWDs

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called on security agencies in Nigeria to avoid brutalising People living With Disabilities (PWDs).

CCD emphasised that PWDs should be treated equally and with care.

Florence Austin, administrative manager of CCD, said this in Lagos at a recent training for security agencies on the rights of PWDs.

Among those trained were officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

She said that the training was organised because it was observed that some security officers reportedly brutalise PWDs in some parts of Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

“We are having a day of training for security formation and disability rights for persons with disabilities,” she said.

“The objective of the training is to enhance the security formation on disability rights and the effect of shrinking civic space on persons with disability in Lagos state.

“The training was borne out of the treatment meted out to PWDs by the police during their peaceful protest, as a result of perceived injustice, when their names were allegedly excluded from participating in the last international Olympic games.”

Bada Oladipupo, the assistant director, Lagos state ministry of justice, said the state has been at the forefront as far as promoting the rights of PWDs is concerned.

“Lagos is the first state in Nigeria to establish the office of disability, which has attracted attention from other states,” Oladipupo said.