The Borno state government has reiterated its commitment to support the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-NE), saying that the conflict in the area has affected the people of the state adversely.
The Governor of the state, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum who stated this when the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN led members of the panel on a courtesy visit to the government house.
The Governor who was represented at the visit by his Deputy, Hon Umar Usman Kadafur stated, “We know the genesis of setting up the panel and it is a welcome idea because the panel will investigate the allegations of Reuters’ against the military in the North East and Maiduguri in particular, being the epicentre of the insurgency, this will enable us to know what really happened in the said circumstances”.
The Governor told the panel that directives have been given to the relevant agencies of the state government to avail the panel with personnel or facilities that it may need to invite or inspect in the course of its investigation.
According to the Governor, the conflict in the North East has affected the people of Borno state, causing hardship to innocent citizens, whose homes and schools were destroyed, making it difficult for children to go to school.
He said that the investigation will offer an opportunity for a first-hand information about what the insurgency has caused the state especially as it relates to abduction, forceful conscription and other issues, urging the panel to pay attention to these violations.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC lauded the efforts of the state government in ensuring that the panel enjoys a conducive environment while the assignment lasted.
The NHRC Boss said that the panel deemed it necessary to visit the Governor and seek his blessings and support, “more so when it is obvious that some of the government departments and agencies, such as the office of the Attorney General of the state and the ministries of health and women affairs would be needed to assist the panel to carry out its assignments effectively”.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) said that the support and cooperation of the state government are needed by the panel to do a thorough job that would unearth the truth in the allegations of human rights violations.
