The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to adopt a policy for the protection of Nigerians.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu said the government must do more in protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians especially those living within the conflict regions.
Mr. Ojukwu stated this Abuja on Sunday while reacting to the alleged killing of over forty rice farmers by members of the Boko Haram in Borno State.
The insurgents were said to have slaughtered the farmers in Zabarmari village, Jere Local Government Area.
The NHRC Executive Secretary described the ugly incident as as one too many, a great loss to Borno State and the country at large.
He said “There is an urgent need for government to redouble its effort in providing protection for the citizens especially those who are unfortunate to find themselves in the volatile areas of the North-East that have been destroyed as a result of the operations of the insurgents.”
Mr. Ojukwu said NHRC’s weekly reports on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States showed an urgent need for the government to provide more security in those states.
“On the one hand they cannot continue to live with pangs of hunger as they must look for food. They must be protected from being kidnapped or killed on their farmlands as they go in search of food.
“We were at the frontline in various locations in Borno and we saw the efforts of the military, we commend them, we know it’s not easy, but we ask that they should do more” he said.
Stakeholders must each play their roles, “all hands must be on deck to address this issue, our people must be protected from the harm of insurgency” he added.
