The Nigeria Police Force is partnering with the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to establish a special unit for the protection of children’s rights across Nigeria.

The Inspector General of Police, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of zone 7, Abuja, at the flag of ceremony, said the special unit would complement existing efforts to protect the rights of children and women.

“Before now, we have such units spread all over the divisions and commands now this one is a specialized one that can house the staff and can just be like an operational office.”

On the other hand, an official of the UNICEF explained that the specialised unit will help in the investigations and prosecution of criminal cases like rape and other crimes committed against children.

“If a child has been abused for example at home, when those cases are reported, they need an environment where they can be managed at the police station more appropriately rather than being mixed today as we see with every other category of people.”