Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim K. Idris, has set up a special investigation team to immediately commence investigation into all cases of alleged sexual abuses, exploitation, harassments, gender based violence and professional misconduct on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in some of the IDPs camp in North-eastern Nigeria.
The Human Right Watch has recently published a report accusing security officials at the IDPs camp of different kind of molestations of IDPs.
While expressing deep concern over the submissions in the report, the IGP directed the Special Investigation Panel to carry out a discreet and unbiased investigation into all the cases of abuse and misconduct alleged in the report.
Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in a statement pointed out that, the IGP has called on Human Right Watch officials to avail the investigation team more facts that will assist the Police investigation team conclude the inquiry into the alleged forty three (43) cases mentioned in the Human Right Watch (HRW) report.
The statement further noted that, “The IGP has also directed Commissioners of Police in locations where IDP Camps are situated to beef up security and ensure adequate safety of all IDPs and ensure that all perpetrators of any criminal act are decisively dealt with in accordance to the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force assures all Nigerians and the International community that the Force will not condone any act that violates the human dignity of the IDPs by individuals or group of persons in the IDP camps or anywhere in the country.”
The police IG further urge all police officers and other personnel deployed to the IDP camps to strictly adhere to the rules of engagement.
