By Danlami Nmodu
Nigeria said “an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising of relevant agencies and security personnel has been set up to among other things; investigate” cases of alleged rape and child trafficking in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke,SAN in a statement “On allegations Of Rape And Child Trafficking In IDPs Camps In Nigeria” ,Friday said “Government’s attention has been drawn to an article published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) alleging that hundreds of Nigerian children are being trafficked from some of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps set up to cater for people displaced as a result of the insurgency in the Northeast Geo-Political Zone.
“The Federal Government views these allegations with serious concern as it places a high premium on the welfare and well being of her citizens. Consequently, an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising of relevant agencies and security personnel has been set up to among other things; investigate the matter with a view to holding accountable all those found culpable in these nefarious acts and recommend appropriate measures to forestall future occurrence.
Adoke said “Government has also taken steps to strengthen security around all registered IDP Camps. As an interim measure,the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) has been directed to conduct enlightenment campaigns for care-givers in the Camps. Government is determined to prevent acts that will further traumatise its citizens who have found themselves in these camps due to circumstances beyond their control.
“May I re-state unequivocally, Government’s commitment to the task of providing protection and assistance to victims of armed conflicts and internal strife and its resolve to provide adequate security of lives and properties of her citizenry” ,the Attorney General of the Federation said.
