The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency operations in the North East (SIIP-NE), has arrived Maiduguri for its assignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel was constituted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) following allegations by a foriegn media organisation against the military operation in North East.
The panel Chairman, Justice Abdu Aboki led members of the panel to the Theatre Command Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, to solicit their cooperation in unraveling the truth in the allegations of rights violations against the Nigerian military.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said that the military’s cooperation was needed to clear the air and establish the true position of things regarding the said allegations.
In his response, the Deputy Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Koko Akamba, assured the cooperation of the military to the panel.
He said that the military remained committed to its assigned task and would not be distracted by spurious allegations.
Akamba said that the theatre command would render all the necessary cooperation to unravel the truth concerning the allegations.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said that the military would do its best to ease the task of the panel.
Shaibu said that the military has done a lot in the protection of civilians affected by insurgency in the North East region.
It could be recalled that in December 2021, Reuters had accused the military of forced abortion in its counter terrorism operation, which the Nigerian Armed Forces dismissed as false.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor had formally requested the NHR to investigate the Reuters’ claim. (NAN)
