Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has called on the public to submit complaints of human rights violations against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS or other units of the Police to the Independent Investigations Panel, IIP on human rights violations.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu who disclosed this in Abuja, the nation’s capital stated that anyone who is a victim of SARS brutality or other related assaults to submit petitions to the IIP, added that public hearing sitting would soon commence.
According to Mr.Ojukwu, “The setting up of the independent investigative Panel is very imperative because it will address various reports of alleged extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests, torture, disappearances, extortions, confiscation of property, violations of dignity and privacy which have received national and global attentions,” he said.
In a statement by the Assistant Director Public Affairs of the NHRC, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the efforts are in line with the policy of the government to work with relevant stakeholders towards a successful reform of the Nigerian Police Force,
The Chief Human Rights Officer, therefore, urged the members of the public to check publications of the call for memoranda entitled, “Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by Defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other Units of the Nigerian Police Force 2020 Call for Petition/Notice of Public Hearing” in some National Dailies and the NHRC website, www.nhrc.gov.ng
The Commission also said that complaints could be sent via email, info@nhrc.gov.ng or post or deposit at the headquarters of the Commission
The complaints which deadline is November 2 can also be sent to offices of the Commission in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
