The National Human Rights Commission has requested the support and cooperation of Borno state government to the Special Independent Investigative Panel set up to investigate human rights violations in the North East .
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu made the request when members of the panel alongside officials of the commission paid a courtesy call to Borno state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur at the Government House, Maiduguri.
According to him, the Investigative Panel was set up to investigate a three part report of an International news Agency Reuters in December 2022 alleging series of gross violations of human rights laws by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Mr Ojukwu further informed the Deputy Governor that the Panel have the mandate of investigating allegations contained in the Reuters report and make recommendations on culpability and on integrating human rights into counter- insurgency operations in the North East.
He also requested access to government hospitals mentioned in the report and provision of other support that will facilitate their work.
“Provision of support and facilitation of access to all communities mentioned in the report for investigation and gathering of evidence among others, ” Mr Ojukwu said.
Borno state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur appreciated the investigative Panel for the visit and assured that the state government would support the Panel to achieve its mandate.
He urged members of the panel to be mindful of the destruction perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents in the state including human rights violations such as rape and displacement of citizens.
Correspondent Dauda Iliya reports that the Special Investigative Panel is headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Aboki.
Cov/Dauda Iliya