SECURITY: FCT COMMAND TRAINS FIFTY PERSONNEL ON SIGN LANGUAGE FOR ENHANCED SERVICE DELIVERY.

In view of the need to bridge the gap between the Corps and the deaf communities for enhanced intelligence gathering, criminal investigation, and easy dispensation of justice, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, has concluded training for fifty (50) personnel of the Command in sign language proficiency.

The five (5) days intensive training for the first batch of officers and men drawn from various departments and units such as Intelligence and Investigations, counter terrorism (CTU), training, peace and conflict resolutions, gender, operations, disaster management, and people with disability (PWD) units of the Command, was organised in partnership with Deaf-in-Tech in Abuja.

Declaring the training closed monday evening, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, said the training for his personnel was designed to build  their capacity in the effective use of sign languages as a tool for greater community service by the Command.

"This initiative is not merely a training exercise, it is a strategic investment in the future of intelligence gathering, criminal investigation and delivering on the NSCDC core mandates"

Odumosu, disclosed that the training is citizens-centred  approach to law enforcement, building trust, improving access to justice and ensuring no voice goes  unheard, whether spoken or in sign form.

“It is the first of its kind for the NSCDC and it is designed to build the capacity of our personnel in the effective use of sign language as a tool of communication.

“By equipping our personnel with sign language proficiency, we are tearing down a long-standing barrier between law enforcement agencies and members of the deaf community.

“This is a citizens-centred approach to law enforcement in its truest sense by building trust, improving access to justice, and ensuring no voice goes unheard, whether spoken or signed.

“It will also help personnel to communicate within themselves with sign language which will foster seamless and discreet security activities.

“We have had cases being reported to us by the deaf community and suspects being brought to us and both the complainant and suspect were deaf so we had to get interpreters,” he said.

He commended the commitment and courage of the participants to learn, adapt and embrace the new skills that will forever enrich their professional conduct and personal life.

"You are now ambassadors of inclusivity and agents of a more compassionate, more responsive Commands of the NSCDC".

"We will leverage on this skill to entertain complaints, carryout interrogations, and gather intelligence without relying on interpreters", Odumosu said.

He maintained that the Corps is committed to harnessing the potentials of sign language to enhance the mandate and make a meaningful impact in the FCT.

"This training is for better service delivery to every citizens without leaving anyone out, if you can communicate freely with signs, the deaf community will find it easy to come to you with credible intelligence, knowing that they will be able to communicate freely with you and you will give them the needed attention and assistance".

Deaf-in-Tech Founder, Mr Ayoola Arowolo appreciated the FCT command for pioneering the movement of an inclusive security architecture.

Arowolo who is also one of the facilitators of the training, said that the training will not only ensure protection of persons with disability but will ensure security of every Nigerian.

“This is the first for this country as no security operative has started this by including the disability cluster in how to provide security in our country.

“We hope this training ignites other security apparatus in the country to enrol their operatives in sign language.

“Thank you for pioneering this in the country as we believe this will spread to other personnel, security agencies and states at large,” he said.

According to him, there had been reports of deaf and dumb persons getting into trouble with security operatives due to the inability of both parties to communicate effectively.

Highlights of the ceremony was the  presentation of an Award of Inclusive Protection Advocate Leadership to the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, by the facilitators Deaf-In-Tech and certificates presentation to participants.

DSC Monica Ojobi

FCT CDPRO 

Ag.