The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has reiterated that the Nigerian government remained steadfast in its commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and the principles of justice, even in the face of grave challenge of insurgency in the North-east.
He also stated that the government would continuously strengthen mechanisms to ensure that military operations are conducted with the highest regard for human rights and international humanitarian law.
The minister made the assertions when he received the Chairman of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations during Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-east, Hon. Justice Aboki (rtd), members of the committee, management and staff of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the occasion of submitting the Panel’s report to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, today in Abuja.
The constitution of the panel was following allegations made by Reuters in 2022 regarding human rights violations during counter-insurgency operations including claims of forced abortions, sexual and gender-based violence and extrajudicial killings.
Recall that the Nigerian government took immediate steps to investigate those serious accusations, recognising the importance of transparency, accountability, and adherence to Nigeria’s obligations under international law.
That culminated in the government, through the NHRC, to constitute the Special Independent Investigative Panel to thoroughly examine the claims.
The decisive action highlighted commitment to due process and the protection of human rights within the nation’s security framework.
Fagbemi said: “As we continue our efforts to consolidate peace and security in the North-east, the findings of this Panel will provide significant insights to further strengthen our policies and operational frameworks.
“The government is keenly aware of the evolving challenges in integrating human rights principles into security operations, and this report will serve as an important tool in refining existing protocols, addressing any identified gaps, and ensuring continued compliance with human rights standards.
“Moreover, it will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of our armed forces as they carry out their constitutional mandate to protect the nation.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s resolute commitment to the rule of law, my office will establish an Implementation Committee to review the report and develop appropriate recommendations for execution.
“The government remains steadfast in ensuring that justice prevails, and any necessary remedial actions will be taken within the framework of the law”.
The minister reaffirmed that Nigeria remained committed to maintaining the delicate balance between national security and human rights by enhancing legal and institutional frameworks to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected while effectively addressing security threats.
In his speech, Aboki maintained that beyond documenting their findings, the report contains critical recommendations that, if implemented, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations while upholding human rights and strengthening the criminal justice system.
He emphasised the need for the urgent implementation by the Federal Government, the Nigerian military, and other relevant stakeholders.
The report was an extensive investigation which spanned 18 months across twenty field locations and involved the collection of 199 testimonies.
He said: “We strongly urge that the recommendations be given due consideration, as their implementation will not only serve justice but will also reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to human rights, accountability, and the rule of law in military operations.”
In his statement at the occasion, Executive Secretary/CEO, NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, highlighted that the work of the SIIP North-east reflected a major contribution by the NHRC in ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and uphold human rights standards in Nigeria.
He affirmed that it was Nigeria’s further commitment to justice, transparency, and accountability to any form of human rights violation associated with conflict and insurgency.
He noted that the report locally, showed the NHRC was truly and fully independent and plays oversight on Nigeria’s institutions, including the Armed Forces and the law enforcement agencies as far as human rights was concerned while on a global scale, it was a clear indication of Nigeria’s political will to investigate cases of grave human rights violations falling under the international principles of complementarity.
Ojukwu used the occasion to solicit the minister’s partnership and support in the implementation phase of the report.
