Monday Reuben, Abuja

 

 

DAILY COURIER – The Nigeria military has assured the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter-Insurgency Operators in the Northeast (SIIP-NE) of its readiness to cooperate with the panel.

 

It promised to make available officers that might be needed in the course of the panel’s investigations.

 

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

 

Ojukwu said the military high command also assured Nigerians of the security and safety of the members of the panel and other persons who may be involved in the course of the proceedings at the panel.

 

The NHRC boss said during his visit to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, the CDS hailed the commission for undertaking to investigate Reuters’ allegations of human rights violations against the military.

 

According to the CDS, Reuters’ allegations of abortion of pregnancies in the Northeast is false and a ploy to dampen the spirit of the troops in the field of operation.

 

Irabor noted that with Reuters’ report “our professional standing has been put to question”.

 

The CDS said the Armed Forces had continued to display a high level of commitment in national service.

 

Despite the sacrifices by the troops, he said, a few individuals, territorial or extra-territorial forces have maligned the image of the military.

 

He said since other independent media organisation had also carried out investigations into Reuters’ allegations, it could be useful for the panel to review other media reports on the counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

 

Irabor said the Reuters’ report was regrettable for alleging that organised abortion of pregnancies was instituted by the Federal Government, implying that it was sanctioned by the government and superintended by the military.

 

Ojukwu told the CDS that the purpose of the visit was to formally seek the cooperation of the military in investigating allegations of human rights violations by the military in the Northeast.

 

The retired Supreme Court Justice told Irabor that the investigation was in the interest of the military and Nigeria.

 

He assured the CDS that the panel would be fair to all parties and adhere to the rules of natural justice.