A national policy dialogue in Abuja has called for stronger accountability, safer reporting mechanisms and deeper integration of gender considerations across Nigeria’s defence and security institutions as stakeholders seek to strengthen responses to sexual and gender-based violence.

The National Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Defence and Security Operations was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), with support from the Government of Ireland.

Held under the theme “Strengthening Human Rights-Centred and Gender-Responsive Approaches to SGBV in Defence and Security Operations in Nigeria,” the dialogue brought together representatives of security institutions, government agencies, civil society organisations, diplomatic missions and development partners.

The discussions focused on how security institutions can prevent SGBV, improve reporting and complaint mechanisms, strengthen accountability and ensure that human rights remain central to security operations.

Accountability beyond operational capacity

The Executive Director of CISLAC and TI-Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa, popularly known as Rafsanjani, said the effectiveness of defence and security institutions should not be assessed solely by their operational capabilities.

He argued that their ability to protect human rights and respond to misconduct must also form part of the assessment.

SGBV, he noted, remains a concern for security personnel, civilians who interact with security agencies, people in detention or custody, and communities affected by conflict and insecurity.

For people who experience or witness abuse, however, reporting can itself present risks.

Rafsanjani identified confidentiality concerns and power imbalances as factors that can discourage victims and complainants from coming forward. He stressed that addressing SGBV requires more than establishing policies and procedures on paper.

Stakeholders must also examine whether existing mechanisms are accessible, trusted and capable of protecting survivors throughout the reporting and response process.

“Our shared responsibility is to build institutions where reporting abuse does not expose a complainant to further vulnerability; where legitimate complaints are treated seriously, where survivors have access to appropriate support and referral; where personnel understand their responsibilities,” he said.

He identified five priority areas for action: prevention, safe reporting, institutional accountability, gender-responsive security operations, and coordination and oversight.

Police reaffirm commitment to complaints and accountability

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Head of the Nigeria Police Force Complaint Response Unit, SP Awu Fidelis Jonah, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to preventing SGBV and strengthening accountability.

Jonah said effective prevention and response require security institutions to operate with professionalism, integrity and respect for human dignity.

He said police operations must remain guided by the Constitution, relevant laws, human rights principles and professional policing standards.

“Victims and survivors must be treated with dignity, confidentiality and sensitivity, while perpetrators must be subjected to appropriate investigation and lawful accountability,” he said.

He also highlighted the role of the Complaint Response Unit as a channel through which members of the public can report allegations of police misconduct.

According to Jonah, effective complaint management does not end with receiving a report. Investigation, follow-up and resolution are necessary to strengthen public confidence and build a culture of accountability within the Force.

Ireland backs human rights-centred security reform

The Government of Ireland, which supported the dialogue, also called for stronger systems to address SGBV and promote accountability within Nigeria’s security sector.

The Humanitarian Development Officer of the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, Samuel Ameh, said Ireland was proud to support CISLAC and TI-Nigeria’s efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence and promote good governance.

He said embedding human rights principles within security operations could strengthen protection for survivors, improve access to justice and reinforce institutional accountability.

“Ireland remains committed to supporting Nigerian institutions and civil society in building stronger systems, enhancing oversight mechanisms, and advancing reforms that uphold human rights and gender equality,” he said.

Gender inclusion as part of security reform

The discussion also placed gender inclusion within the broader question of institutional reform.

The First Secretary of the Embassy of the Netherlands, Dineke Traore-Vrolyk, said security, human rights, integrity and accountability should be treated as interconnected elements of effective security institutions.

She argued that security agencies must protect the people they serve, operate professionally and transparently, and earn public trust.

Traore-Vrolyk highlighted the Netherlands’ partnership with CISLAC, particularly its programme addressing integrity risks in areas including finance, personnel, operations and procurement, alongside gender inclusion and access to information.

She said the programme also sought to promote greater participation of women in recruitment, appointments, promotions and deployment.

The emphasis reflects a broader understanding of gender-responsive security: women’s participation is not simply a question of representation but can influence how institutions understand, prevent and respond to risks affecting different groups.

From policy commitments to institutional practice

The Abuja dialogue placed the focus on a question that extends beyond the existence of policies: whether people who experience abuse can safely report it and whether institutions have the capacity and willingness to respond.

For survivors, the credibility of a reporting mechanism can depend on confidentiality, accessibility, protection from retaliation, appropriate referrals and confidence that complaints will be investigated.

For security institutions, stronger complaint systems provide an opportunity to identify misconduct, improve professional standards and strengthen public trust.

The five areas identified at the dialogue: prevention, safe reporting, accountability, gender-responsive operations, and coordination and oversight, therefore connect individual protection with institutional reform.

As Nigeria continues to confront insecurity across different parts of the country, stakeholders at the dialogue stressed that security and human rights cannot be treated as separate priorities.

The measure of a security institution is not only how effectively it responds to threats, but also how it treats the people within its reach.

For women and girls, survivors of violence and communities affected by insecurity, that distinction can determine whether speaking out becomes a pathway to justice or another source of vulnerability.

Khadijat Omowumi Mustapha