In an initiative aimed at fostering inclusive security and effective communication with persons with disabilities, over 50 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have undergone intensive training in sign language proficiency.
The five-day training, held in Abuja, is the first of its kind for security operatives in the country. The training was designed to strengthen the capacity of NSCDC personnel in sign language, with a focus on improving investigation, interrogation, and intelligence gathering.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, described the training as a strategic investment in the Corps’ core mandates of public safety and national security.
“This initiative is not just a training programme but a forward-thinking approach to modern policing. By equipping our personnel with sign language skills, we are eliminating a long-standing communication barrier between law enforcement and the deaf community,”
Dr. Odumosu said that the training aligns with a citizen-centered approach to law enforcement, one that builds trust, fosters inclusivity, improves access to justice, and ensures that every voice spoken or signed is heard and respected.
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The Facilitator of the training Dr. Arowolo Ayoola who is also the Chief Executive of Data Lead Africa Foundation commended the NSCDC for the initiative.
He emphasized the importance of such training in ensuring that people with disabilities, especially the deaf, are not denied justice due to communication barriers.
Dr. Ayoola recounted a tragic incident involving a deaf man who was killed following a misunderstanding with a security officer, an incident that underscored the urgent need for inclusive communication in law enforcement.
High point of the event was the presentation of certificates to the trained personnel and an award of recognition to Dr. Odumosu for his commitment to inclusiveness and innovation within the Corps.