NHRC tasks security agencies on protection of IDPs

The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) has urged the military and all other security agencies in the country to intensify protection of vulnerable communities against terrorist attacks.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, made the call during a two-day human rights sensitisation training for government agencies in Maiduguri.

Ojukwu lamented the persistent attacks by the insurgents, especially the recent attacks on Dalori Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp and Gajiram, which claimed 65 lives.

He urged all the agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting the vulnerable population, to redouble their efforts toward discharging their responsibility.

The Executive Secretary said that the training, in partnership with the United Nations High Commission For Refugees(UNHCR), was aimed at encouraging participants to promote protection and enforce human rights in crisis situation.

Ojukwu said that the training was one of the key components of the IDPs/ Returnees Protection Monitoring Project of the Commission, in partnership with UNHCR in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

In her remarks, Mrs Hilda Okonyo, UNHCR Protection Officer, said that the workshop would strengthen the cooperation between government agencies and humanitarian organisations, to enable the provision of support to displaced persons in the region.

“When we protect people and help people, we are doing work of God. We are gathered here for the prosperity of our nation, so that all IDPs will return to their homes and live normal life,” Okonyo said.

Muhammed Bagale, one of the participants, hoped that the training would strengthen performance of all the agencies and enable them complement each others roles in enhancing safety and security.(NAN)