The Nigeria Police Force has concluded a week-long pre-deployment training focused on preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
According to a press release on December 9, 2025, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the programme, held at the Peacekeeping Hall of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, aimed to strengthen officers’ capacity for child-sensitive policing in conflict-affected areas.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, who was represented by AIG Aminu Baba Raji of the Training and Development Department, declared the training open. He emphasised the heightened vulnerability of children in violent environments and described their recruitment by armed actors as a serious violation of rights and a national security concern.
Delivered in partnership with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, the training featured international experts and certified Nigeria Police trainers.
Participants were taught how to detect and prevent child recruitment while recognising children associated with armed groups as victims entitled to confidentiality, empathy, and protection.
The initiative also reinforced existing police child-protection efforts, including the Safer Schools Programme and POCACOV. At the end of the programme, 25 officers were certified as ready for deployment to conflict-prone regions.
IGP Egbetokun expressed appreciation to the facilitators and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to human rights, child protection, and continuous capacity-building through strong institutional partnerships.
