Reuters Report: Panel solicits support on fact finding mission in Adamawa
The Special Independent Investigative Panel (SIIP) on human rights violations in counter insurgency operations in the North East has solicited support and cooperation of stakeholders for its fact finding mission in Adamawa over the negative reports by Reuters.
Justice Abdu Aboki rtd, the Panel Chairman, made the call on Friday in Yola during their fact finding mission visit to the state.
He said that the panel was in Borno, Yobe and now in Adamawa for its assignment on the allegations, including alleged secret abortions conducted on over 10,000 pregnant women rescued from Boko Haram captivity.
Mr Hilary Obinna, the Panel Secretary, explained that the establishment of the SSIP North-East was in response to the publication of a three-part report by Reuters in December 2022.
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He said that the report alleged series of gross violations of international and national human rights laws by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the North-East counter-insurgency operations.
“The SIIP North-East is grateful to all stakeholders who have shown interest in its work.
“The Panel will continue to run a transparent process and will be counting on the cooperation and support of individuals and organisations who have interests in the mandate of the Panel and possess the capacity to support it,” he said.
According to him, the panel was inaugurated in Abuja on Feb. 7, 2023, by the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu.
He said that the NHRC mandated the panel to be diligent in carrying out its responsibility and called on all relevant stakeholders to give their full support and cooperation to the panel in the discharge of its duties.
He added that the panel have so far received 33 testimonies from individuals, including military officials, health personnel and public officials.
Newsmen reports that in Adamawa the panel received three testimonies from Military officials as on Friday.
NAN also reports that the panel will on Saturday conduct public hearing and visitation to Military and civilian hospitals for further investigations.
