The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has faulted the reported statement attributed to some Northern youth groups that all Igbos residing in the northern part of the country should vacate before October 1st, 2017.
Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah in a statement on Thursday said the quit notice was provocative and a serious threat to national peace and security.
She described it as “a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians to reside, acquire and own immovable properties in any part of the country as guaranteed under section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”
In the statement issued by NHRC’s Principal Public Affairs Officer, Mebrim Uchechukwu, Mrs. Ovrawah was quoted as saying the statement credited to the Arewa youths “amounts to hate speech and inciting comments with potential to ignite ethnic and religious violence which constitute a serious affront on human rights.”
She urged all relevant security agencies as well as the Federal and the various state governments to be more vigilant and ensure the investigation of those behind the statement a view to bringing any offender to justice.
Mrs. Ovrawah urge the various socio-political groups in the country to preach the message of peace, tolerance and human rights and eschew all forms of provocative statements that fan the embers of violence.
She urged the members of the public to report any form of human rights violation to the Commission; and never to resort to self-help.
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