The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria will soon commence public enquiry into allegations of human rights violation leveled against the military by members of some rural communities in Wase, Plateau State.

Prof. Bem Angwe, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, announced this on Friday in Jos when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

Angwe said in 2015, the commission received petitions from the communities alleging crimes against humanity, acts of genocide and gross violation of their rights by the military.

He added: “When we received the petitions, our officials were immediately deployed to carry out on-the-spot assessment and report back to the commission.

“Following the report, we set up an investigative panel to conduct public enquiry into the allegations based on the laws establishing NHRC.

“We have, accordingly, written the hierarchy of the Nigeria military for them to also appear.”
Angwe said his visit was to inform the governor of the readiness of the commission for the probe and solicit his cooperation.

While commending the Federal Government and the security agencies for their efforts to end terrorism, the executive secretary noted that that it must be done without violating the people’s rights.

He said while the commission considers the military the number one defender of human rights, no state policy permits or allows violation of citizens’ rights by any section of the society.

The executive secretary advised the military to be wary of the fact that there might be some overzealous officers that might go beyond their brief.

Angwe said: “We must ensure that human rights are not soft tissues when we are talking about security issues.

“We will ensure that the culprits, if any, are identified and held accountable for their actions.

“We will also ensure that our citizens also respect the schedule of the military.”
In his remarks, Governor Lalong said his administration had a special place for the rights of its people and would continue to work according to such tenets.

He promised to support the commission to succeed in its assignment.

He declared that his government was saddened by reports of the violations of human rights and expressed happiness that the victims opted to go the commission rather than take law into their hands.

“We believe that at the end of the day, the right thing will be done to all the parties,” he said.

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NHRC commences inquiry over alleged human rights violation by military in Plateau