Vin Oliji, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has called for the full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to guarantee inclusive protection, safety, and well-being for all Nigerians, especially people with special needs.
The Federal Capital Territory Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, made the call while presenting a paper titled “Inclusive Protection in Nigeria: Why We Must Act Now” at the 2025 National Convention of Sign Language, organised by the Abuja Association of the Deaf in Abuja.
Odumosu stressed that protection is a fundamental right of every citizen, regardless of ability or disability, but lamented that people with disabilities still face barriers to safety, access to justice, and participation in national life.
He noted that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in particular, continues to suffer from communication barriers, stigma, and inadequate institutional support systems.
“Inclusive protection is a comprehensive approach that ensures the safety, rights, and well-being of all individuals within a society, particularly the vulnerable groups. Nigeria has begun taking steps toward inclusive protection, but in practice, there are still significant gaps between policy and reality,” he said.
The Commandant commended Nigeria for ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and passing the 2018 Act but expressed concern that disability clusters remain excluded in areas of security, justice, and emergency response.
“The law exists, but it is very concerning that many public buildings, offices, and public utilities are not fully accessible to persons with disabilities. The urgent task before us is to move from policy to practice so that no Nigerian is left behind in matters of safety and security,” he appealed.
Odumosu identified challenges such as weak implementation, exclusion in security planning, cultural stigma, inadequate funding, low awareness among security personnel, under-reporting of crimes due to communication barriers, and weak protection frameworks.
He gave the assurance that the NSCDC FCT Command remains committed to promoting inclusive protection.
“As an agency mandated to protect critical national assets, prevent crimes and safeguard communities, NSCDC remains committed to promoting inclusive protection.
“We have trained 250 of our personnel with skills to break barriers and communicate effectively in sign language. This is a vital commitment to ensuring that the voices of the deaf and hard of hearing citizens of this country are heard and understood,” he stated.
The Commandant said the training initiative and other milestones were part of a deliberate strategy to build a modern, resilient, and inclusive security outfit capable of addressing evolving societal needs.
He further pledged to strengthen relations with disability groups, integrate inclusivity into security campaigns, and expand the role of trained disability desk officers in improving response and mediation.
Odumosu emphasised that inclusive protection is not a favour but a right.
“If we must truly build a peaceful and secure society, we cannot afford any group, especially those with disabilities, to be excluded or discriminated against. Every day of delay exposes the vulnerable groups to risks that could have been prevented. The time to act is now,” he declared.
PIAK