Okwe Obi, Abuja

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has called for legislative support for the elderly ones in other to protect them from unwarranted abuse and forceful confinement.

IGP Idris, also vowed not to take it easy with those especially the young ones who take delight in harassing and intimidating the elderly.

Represented by ACP Muyideen Obe, Assistant Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command at the 2018 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, organised by the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, the police boss, also assured the elderly of their protection.

He also appealed for preferencial treatment for the elderly in public places, reminding them of the Law of Karma.

 

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World elderly Abused Day is marked June 15, every year but was shifted due to the Salah break.

In his remarks, President of COSROPIN, Senator Eze Ajoku, blamed the government for doing very little to ameliorate the situation of the elderly either through legislation/policies on the ageing, calling for National policy on the ageing.

“There is no national policy on ageing. The abuse and lack of respect for older persons in my mind, outside the fact that family values are fast breaking down, stems from the fact that there are no legally established rights and privileges.

“We must work together to ensure that the policies are translated to action in order to address the issues faced by the elderly, ranging from verbal abuse, materials and financial exploitation, forced confinement amongst others.

On how to prevent the disturbing trend, Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the agency would come up with aggressive but appealing programmes to encourage children to be of helpful to the elderly and also disabuse the minds of people who think that elderly people are witches and wizards.