In a major step toward strengthening the investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has selected Rivers State as the location for the establishment of a Gender Laboratory for the South-South geopolitical zone.
This was disclosed on Monday, November 3, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Abubakar Baju, who serves as the Force Gender Advisor to the IGP, to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju at the Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Baju explained that the initiative is part of a nationwide effort to build specialized gender labs across all six geopolitical zones to improve real-time reporting, data analysis, and evidence preservation in GBV cases.
“We are working with our partners to develop gender labs in the six geopolitical zones. Rivers State has been chosen as the location for the South-South.
“The gender lab will enhance real-time reporting, analysis, and tracking of gender-based violence cases,” she stated.
She noted that the labs will play a vital role in ensuring that evidence is properly preserved and that offenders are held accountable through credible prosecution.
Baju further disclosed that additional capacity-building training for gender officers would commence next week to improve their investigative and response capabilities.
“Gender-based violence attracts global attention, and even the Federal Executive Council has declared an emergency on it,” she added.
The AIG also informed Adepoju about an upcoming national event celebrating women in the Nigeria Police Force, scheduled for December 2025 in Abuja. She urged the Commissioner to ensure active participation of female officers from the Rivers command in the celebration.
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The Project Coordinator of GS Foundation, Mr Peter Heepen, whose organisation is partnering with the Nigeria Police on the initiative, expressed the foundation’s commitment to supporting the project.
“GS Foundation has been working in Nigeria for four years, and my first task was to equip and procure the gender lab in Abuja. We are now extending this to all six geopolitical zones.
“The gender lab will help preserve evidence, protect data, aid investigations, and ensure that perpetrators of gender-based violence are convicted and held accountable.”
Following the meeting, Baju, Adepoju, and their management team visited the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt to inspect the proposed site for the gender lab.
The team also paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Commissioner of Police (rtd.) Dame Stella Okuyiga, one of the pioneering female officers in the Nigeria Police, to brief her on the upcoming women-in-policing celebration.
According to the police authorities, the proposed Rivers State Gender Lab will be equipped with modern technology, including internet facilities, laptops, desktops, and forensic equipment to aid in digital data management and analysis.
The project forms part of the broader vision of the Nigeria Police Force to enhance gender-sensitive policing, improve victim support systems, and ensure justice for survivors of gender-based violence across the country.
