Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has described the report released by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) on security officers sexually abusing women and girls in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the northeast as “deeply worrying” as he ordered for investigations into it.
Buhari instructed the police and state governors to immediately investigate the infractions raised by the report.
“Let me assure that these very distressing reports will not be taken lightly. We will act decisively on the findings of the investigations.
“We will protect the lives and well-being of these most vulnerable of Nigeria’s citizens. And we will ensure they return safely to their homes,” he added in a series of tweets.
Deeply worrying to hear the reports of sexual abuse and exploitation of women and girls by security personnel in IDP camps in the Northeast
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 31, 2016
The Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Nigerian officials not doing enough to protect displaced women and girls in the war-torn northeast. The report said in July it had documented 43 cases of women and girls in seven internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, the epicentre of the seven-year Islamist insurgency, who had been abused by camp leaders, policemen and soldiers.
“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. It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” Mausi Segun, a senior Nigeria researcher at HRW said.
Four of the victims told HRW they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.
“Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant. They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatisation from other camp residents,” the global rights body said.
HRW documented abuses faced by 43 women and girls displaced from several villages including Abadam, Bama, Baga, Damasak, Dikwa, Gamboru Ngala, Gwoza, Kukawa, and Walassa.
HRW spoke to one 17-year-old girl who was raped and made pregnant by a policeman.
“One day he demanded to have sex with me,” she said. “I refused but he forced me. It happened just that one time, but soon I realised I was pregnant.
“When I informed him about my condition, he threatened to shoot and kill me if I told anyone else. So I was too afraid to report him.”
IDP camps have been established in the northeast to help settle and cater for persons fleeing from or rescued from the activities of Boko Haram in the region.
HRW said irregular supplies of food, clothing, medicine and other essentials in camps were making the women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
