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Purpose This article explores the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities in the policing of violence against women (VAW) in rural Nigeria. It critically examines the structural, institutional, and cultural factors that shape policing practices, with particular attention to how gender norms and community attitudes influence police response to VAW. Design/methodology/approach The study utilized a qualitative research methodology, employing semi-structured interviews with 22 police officers from 13 rural communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Participants were purposively sampled to capture diverse insights based on their rank, experience, and geographical location. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to analyze the data, facilitating a nuanced exploration of how officers perceive their experiences in policing VAW. Findings Policing VAW in rural Nigeria is hindered by deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, both within police institutions and rural communities. Officers reported limited knowledge, a lack of gender-sensitive training, and inadequate professional capacity to handle VAW cases effectively. Structural challenges such as poor infrastructure, underfunding and a centralized command system further constrained rural policing. Community attitudes that normalize abuse and discourage formal reporting also undermine police efforts. Research limitations/implications Access to police officers was sometimes restricted due to institutional gatekeeping, and responses may have been influenced by social desirability bias. While the study offers critical insights into policing VAW, it did not set out to engage survivors directly, focusing instead on the perspectives of police officers. Time and resource constraints also limited the possibility of follow-up or longitudinal analysis. Practical implications This study's findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, community-based interventions that address harmful gender norms and build trust in the formal justice system. Police institutions should also strengthen capacity-building initiatives, increase female representation in rural postings, establish mobile response units and collaborate with local actors to improve community trust and access to justice for survivors. Social implications Promoting gender equity within law enforcement, such as increasing the number of female officers, could help build trust and motivate more women to report abuse. Community alert systems should be established to allow community members or vigilante groups to quickly report suspected abuse to the police. Implementing feedback tools like community scorecards or victim satisfaction surveys can assess police responsiveness in handling VAW cases. Originality/value This study provides original insights by focusing on the perspectives of police officers working in rural Nigeria, an area often overlooked in research on VAW. It uniquely combines an institutional and cultural analysis to highlight how local gender norms, structural limitations and professional gaps intersect to shape policing practices.