Oshikoto police chief vows to fight GBV
• Highlights link between booze and violence
Police Commissioner Nangula Iifo says her team will prioritise working closely with the community to curb crime in the region.
Newly appointed Oshikoto police regional commander Commissioner Nangula Iifo says she will prioritise strengthening ties with the community in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Of particular concern, she said, are cases of rape involving minors and incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Since the beginning of June, police have recorded three cases of rape against minors and five cases of GBH.
“There is one where the victim is hospitalised and in a serious condition. He was admitted to Onandjokwe and on Tuesday afternoon he was transferred to Oshakati Hospital. It’s a concern,” Iifo said.
The commissioner vowed that the police would invest more in public awareness campaigns, noting that many assaults are linked to alcohol abuse and often occur at or near cuca shops.
“Once they take that 'water of encouragement', and then later on they fight unnecessarily and they injure one another,” Iifo said.
She added that public engagement efforts will involve educating communities on the dangers of excessive alcohol use and its connection to violence through targeted campaigns and increased police visibility in high-risk areas.
Strong partnership
Additionally, Iifo said the police will prioritise pillar 2 of the Namibian Police's strategic framework, which underscores the critical importance of building collaborative relationships with the public.
"We will always engage the community to ensure that we curb crime in the region. They are our stakeholders and we are going to involve them so we can work together in crime prevention,” she said.
She pledged that her team would be “boots on the ground”, committed to rigorously enforcing the law to ensure the safety and security of all Oshikoto residents.
Iifo brings 31 years of experience to her new role, having joined the police force more than three decades ago. She has served in various capacities across the country.
Of particular concern, she said, are cases of rape involving minors and incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Since the beginning of June, police have recorded three cases of rape against minors and five cases of GBH.
“There is one where the victim is hospitalised and in a serious condition. He was admitted to Onandjokwe and on Tuesday afternoon he was transferred to Oshakati Hospital. It’s a concern,” Iifo said.
The commissioner vowed that the police would invest more in public awareness campaigns, noting that many assaults are linked to alcohol abuse and often occur at or near cuca shops.
“Once they take that 'water of encouragement', and then later on they fight unnecessarily and they injure one another,” Iifo said.
She added that public engagement efforts will involve educating communities on the dangers of excessive alcohol use and its connection to violence through targeted campaigns and increased police visibility in high-risk areas.
Strong partnership
Additionally, Iifo said the police will prioritise pillar 2 of the Namibian Police's strategic framework, which underscores the critical importance of building collaborative relationships with the public.
"We will always engage the community to ensure that we curb crime in the region. They are our stakeholders and we are going to involve them so we can work together in crime prevention,” she said.
She pledged that her team would be “boots on the ground”, committed to rigorously enforcing the law to ensure the safety and security of all Oshikoto residents.
Iifo brings 31 years of experience to her new role, having joined the police force more than three decades ago. She has served in various capacities across the country.
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Namibian Sun
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