BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
National Human Rights Commission’s, NHRC, Special Independent Investigative Panel, SIIP, on human rights violation in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East has absolved the military of alleged gross human rights violations in the region.
The seven-member panel chaired by a former Supreme Court Judge, Abdu Aboki, investigated the allegations of human rights violations in the North-East.
The investigation covered mostly allegations of rights violation against the military by Reuters (a foreign media agency).
In his opening remarks, Justice Aboki noted that the panel was constituted basically because Reuters had made damaging allegations of gross human rights violations against the military.
Aboki recalled that Reuters three-part reports in December 2022 was entitled ‘Nightmare in Nigeria,’ and that they alleged ‘series of systematic gross human rights violations by the military during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region.
“These violations targeted women and children, involving mass abortion and systematic killing of women and children.”
He said the investigative panel was set up by NHRC with the mandate to “investigate allegations of gross violation of national and international human rights laws/principles brought against the Nigerian Armed Forces in the three reports by Reuters. (Sections 5(a)(b)(j) and 6(1)(a) of the NHRC Act, 2010).
“Receive memorandum from individuals and organisations with interest in the subject matter, especially human rights, security and humanitarian organisations working in the North-East.
“Make appropriate determinations as to the culpability of individuals or institutions as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance. (Section 5(j) of the NHRC Act 2010).
“Make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems necessary in the circumstances of the case (sec. 6(e) of the NHRC Act, 2010).”
He called for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report by NHRC, federal and state governments, military, UN agencies and NGOs working in the region.
Shortly after, Justice Aboki had commended the commission for the trust reposed on members of his panel and the cooperation enjoyed from stakeholders, particularly Borno and Yobe State governments, as well as the military headquarters while on their fact finding mission.
Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, on his part, said the work of the panel reflects a major contribution by the commission in ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and uphold human rights standards in Nigeria.
Ojukwu said: “It is our commitment to justice, transparency and accountability to any form of human rights violation associated with conflict and insurgency.
“NHRC is resolute in its commitment to the implementation of this report, and in particular, redoubling our collective efforts towards integrating human rights principles into military and counter-insurgency operations across Nigeria.
“We are even honoured to have in attendance today, UN agencies and NGOs who have been our longstanding partners in our human rights response to counter-insurgency operations and humanitarian efforts in the North-East.
“As part of our commitment to ensure that the panel’s recommendations are fully realised, NHRC will embark upon a series of public consultations and conversations on the report.”
Following human rights violations reports published by Reuters in December 2022 on military operations in the North-East, the NHRC had in February 2023 set up a panel to investigate the allegations.
