President Muhammadu Buhari has, Monday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris and the affected state governors to commence immediate investigations into the recent report by the Human Rights Watch alleging sexual harassments of girls and women at the Internally Displaced Camps, IDPs by some officials.
In a statement issued made available to newsmen by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, it said that president Buhari was shocked and worried at the news.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is worried and shocked by the recently released Human Rights Watch (HRW) report which alleges sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls in camps for those displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.”
“The welfare of these most vulnerable of Nigerian citizens has been a priority of his government. Nigerians and the international community can rest assured that the allegations raised in the HRW are not being taken lightly.”
“President Buhari has instructed the Inspector General of Police and the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue.
Their findings will determine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response.”
“While the Nigerian military continues to work hard so that these unfortunate victims of Boko Haram terrorism can soon return safely to their homes, the government will do its best to ensure their protection and welfare in the temporary IDP camps.”
Human Rights Watch, Monday, released a report accusing Nigerian officials of sexually exploiting women and girls at the IDPs.
It said it had documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven IDP camps in Maiduguri in July who had been abused by camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen, and soldiers.
“It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram,” said Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at HRW.
“It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” he added.
