Following the shocking allegation that police officers and army officials are involved in r*ping IDPs, the Nigerian Police have begun investigation into the matter.
File photo: Men of the Nigerian police force
A panel has been set up by the Nigerian Police to investigate cases of s*xual abuse in Internally Displaced Persons camps which was first reported by global rights group, Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch reported extensive s*xual abuse and exploitation in the IDP camps, and accused security personnel and other officials of being the culprits.
Officials either r*ped women and girls or lured them into s*x in exchange for financial and material benefits, the report said.
“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 Human Rights Watch.
“It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” she had added.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, that a special police panel will investigate.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris MPN mni, has set up a Special dedicated Investigation Team to immediately commence thorough Investigation into all cases of alleged sexual abuses, exploitation, harassments, gender based violence and professional misconduct on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in some of North-eastern States contained in a report published by the Human Right Watch against Camp officials, vigilante groups, Soldiers and Policemen among others,” the statement said.
It called on the rights group to help the investigation team by providing credible information that can serve as evidence for the alleged abuses.