Following reports by local and international groups of gross abuse against the Nigeria military in the war against the Boko Haram insurgents, the federal government on Friday set up a commission to investigate the alleged abuses.
Some of the allegations that have been levelled against the military are by groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.
The news of the establishment of the commission was contained in a statement by Laolu Akande, the spokesman for Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.
“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has appointed a 7-man Judicial Commission, headed by Justice Biobele A. Georgewill, of the Court of Appeal, to review compliance of the Nigerian Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement, especially in local conflict and insurgency situations.”
The statement said that the presidential committee “is empowered to review extant rules of engagement applicable in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the extent of compliance thereto.”
“It is also empowered to investigate alleged acts of violation, (by Nigerian security agencies) of international humanitarian and human rights law under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Geneva Conventions Act, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and other relevant laws,” he said.
Further more, “the commission equally has a mandate to investigate factors that might be militating against a speedy resolution of local conflicts and insurgencies and also advise on means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.”
Members of the judicial commission include Mr. Georgewill as Chairman; and Patrick Akem, a major general, as member.
Other members are Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days.