The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Nigerian Army to produce the soldiers alleged to have forced a fellow Nigerian to roll in muddy water on Saturday in Mararaba, Nasarawa State for investigation and further action.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, who made the request at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, urged the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen Tukur Buratai, to produce the alleged perpetrators within 72 hours beginning on Monday.
Angwe warned the military against using horse whips on Nigerians as well as asking them to engage in “frog jump“ and other corporal punishment as they constituted gross violation of their fundamental human rights.
“All such practices whereby citizens are forced to frog jump by military officials or the use of horsewhip by VIP escorts to push off the road innocent road users and other forms of corporal punishment must cease forthwith.
“The National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria is committed to ensuring not only the recognition of the rights of all Nigerians but also the respect for such rights.
“The Chief of Army Staff is hereby requested to identify the alleged violators and submit them to the commission within 72 hours from today for a thorough investigation and necessary action.“
The executive secretary described the military’s act of intimidation as condemnable, particularly in a democratic setting such as in Nigeria.
“It is sad that in spite of the assurance given to Nigerians and the international community by the Federal Government of Nigeria of its determination to protect the human rights of Nigerians, some officials of the Federal Government are yet to realise that change has indeed come to Nigeria and as such, such officials are still engaged in old practices as if nothing has changed.
“At the same time, while the Chief of Army Staff, the hierarchy of the Nigerian military and the police continue to express their commitment towards the observance and protection of human rights in Nigeria, some officers of these institutions have continued to exceed the scope of their authority in the conduct of their assignments by engaging in some excessive and reckless conducts that continue to undermine the rights of Nigerians.“
He called for an immediate end to all forms of corporal punishments meted out to the citizenry. (NAN)
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