The Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has formally handed over the remodelled Gender-Based Violence, SGBV and Family Support Centre at the Gender Unit Police Command, Ikeja Lagos.
The First Lady said the gesture was a shared commitment to justice, protection, and dignity for survivors.
Speaking at the event, held at Harold Sodipo GRA, Ikeja, Dr Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that SGBV is not just a crime but a violation of humanity which remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations that affect nearly one in three women globally.
She maintained that Lagos State, under its THEMES+ agenda has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to addressing the sexual gender based violence through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.
The first lady said; “Coincidentally, the commissioning of this Centre today, December 1st 2025 falls within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a period specifically set aside to raise awareness, mobilize action, and call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
“The theme for this annual global campaign highlights the growing threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and calls for action from governments, tech companies, donors, and individuals to combat it.”
Dr Sanwo-Olu said; “When I first received the news from the Lagos State Police Command in 2023 on the need to remodel the Gender Unit, what I saw was not just a proposal, it was a cry for help.
“Today, we are now witnessing a transformed facility, reborn, renewed, and repositioned to give hope, healing, and timely response to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence across Lagos State.”
She acknowledged the effort of the Lagos State Police Command for identifying the need to take such action towards ensuring policing aligns with global best practices.
“As we commission this Centre, we must remember that structures alone do not stop gender-based violence. It is the people who work within them, officers, investigators, counsellors, psychologists, social workers, and first responders, who carry the true burden of change. I therefore urge every officer who will work in this Centre to approach every case with professionalism, compassion, confidentiality, and a sense of justice that reflects the values of Lagos State.
“I can confidently say that this is the Lagos we envision, where survivors are not silenced, where justice is not delayed, and where every individual, regardless of gender, is protected and supported,” she explained.
She however called on all stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, communities, civil society groups, political leaders, schools, families, and individuals, to support the state government in sustaining this fight against sexual violence.
SGBV cases
In his remark, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moshood Jimoh while reeling out the achievements of the centre said that about 219 individuals who were involved in SGBV cases were arrested in the last one year, while the number of cases charged to court is about 198.
The cases according to Jimoh include cases of defilement, abduction, sexual assault by penetration, cases of domestic violence, child trafficking, child stealing among others.
The facility
Other dignitaries at the event lauded the First Lady for collaborating to achieve the initiative towards building a safer and unified family.
The remodelled facility has Special interview rooms for sensitive case handling, Electronic and video recording equipment for transparent investigations, Staff offices and documentation rooms as well as a functional case-management system.
Others include a short-stay hostel for survivors, including male and female victims, medical and psychological support unit, conference hall, vocational training room, and recreational spaces.