NSCDC Urges Full Enforcement of Disability Rights Law

NSCDC Urges Full Enforcement of Disability Rights Law

 

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has called for the rigorous implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, to ensure the protection, safety, and well-being of all persons with disabilities.

 

The call was made by the FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, on Wednesday in Abuja while presenting a paper titled “Inclusive Protection in Nigeria: Why We Must Act Now” at the 2025 National Convention of Sign Language, organised by the Abuja Association of the Deaf.

 

Dr. Odumosu emphasised that protection is a fundamental right for all citizens, but persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to safety, justice, and active participation in national life.

 

“Inclusive protection is a comprehensive approach that ensures the safety, rights, and well-being of all individuals, particularly vulnerable groups. Nigeria has made progress, but significant gaps still exist between policy and practice,” he said.

 

Highlighting challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Odumosu cited communication barriers, stigma, and inadequate institutional support as factors that increase their vulnerability.

 

While commending Nigeria’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the passage of the 2018 Act, he expressed concern that disability groups remain largely excluded from key sectors such as security, justice, and emergency response.

 

“The law exists, but many public buildings, offices, and utilities are still inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Our urgent task is to translate policy into action so that no Nigerian is left behind in safety and security matters,” Odumosu said.

 

He identified weak implementation, cultural stigma, limited funding, inadequate awareness among security personnel, underreporting of crimes, and insufficient protection frameworks as persistent obstacles.

 

The commandant assured that NSCDC FCT is committed to bridging these gaps. “As an agency responsible for protecting critical national assets, preventing crime, and safeguarding communities, we remain committed to promoting inclusive protection. We have trained 250 personnel in sign language to communicate effectively with the deaf and hard-of-hearing. This is vital to ensuring their voices are heard,” he noted.

 

Odumosu added that training, retraining, and establishing disability desk officers are part of the strategy to build a modern, responsive, and inclusive security outfit. He also pledged to deepen engagement with disability groups, integrate inclusivity into security campaigns, and leverage trained personnel to improve mediation and rapid response during emergencies.

 

“Inclusive protection is a right, not a favour. If we are to build a peaceful and secure society, no group—especially persons with disabilities—should be excluded or discriminated against. Every delay exposes vulnerable groups to preventable risks. The time to act is now,” he said.

 

The NSCDC FCT Commandant called on government, civil society, and community leaders to work together to foster a society where every individual is valued and treated equally.