Human Right Abuses: Wike Tasks Military on Thorough Recruitment Process

PORT HAR-COURT— Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Tuesday urged the Nigerian military to take a critical look at the recruitment processes of its personnel to check alleged issues of human rights abuses by its officers.

Wike gave the charge when the Presidential Investigating Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed forces with Human Rights Obligation and Rules of Engagement paid a courtesy visit on him at Government House in Port Harcourt.

Represented by his Deputy Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, Wike expressed confidence on the panel’s ability to fashion out a sustainable mechanism to deal with issues of human rights abuses by security agencies.

The governor said it was unfortunate that there had been several alleged cases of brutality and violation of human rights by security agencies because of the activities of a few personnel.

Wike said: “You will get memoranda from us about the undermining of the Electoral Act by security agencies. There is an urgent need to look at the recruitment processes. Are they qualified? Are they patriotic? Do they have professional ethics? These are questions that are begging for answers.”

He reiterated his commitment to the unity of the country, adding that he would not support any secessionist agenda because God, in his infinite wisdom, had put Nigeria together as one and the country would continue to remain one.

Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Investigating Panel Justice Bauble Abraham Georgewill, had told the governor that the panel received memoranda from various stakeholders and had fully commenced sitting.

Georgewill, however, called on the people of the South-South states to avail themselves the opportunity to make presentations.

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