Hardship: NHRC To Operate 24-hour Situation Room To Monitor Protests  

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that it would operate a 24-hour Rituation Room to monitor the proposed nationwide protest against harship beginning from this Thursday with a toll free line – 6472.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this while calling on the Federal and State Governments to uphold the fundamental human rights of protest assemblies, at a press briefing with journalists in Abuja on the special independent investigative panel on human rights violations allegations against the Nigerian Armed Forces in reports by Reuters.

The investigative panel headed by Justice Abdul Aboki revealed that investigations was 95% completed, as it had 11 sittings between January 2023 and March 2024, with testimonies from 190 witnesses from four targeted states in the North-East.

The NHRC boss urged the federal and state governments to ensure that protests are not disrupted by opposing third parties, counter demonstrators or hostile forces.

On the use of force, he called on law enforcement and security agencies to respect the rights of protesters, provide and protect traffic routes for protesters and non-protesters to ensure the right of freedom of movement, and ensure a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into any incident of human rights violations.

While reiterating that through dialogue, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law, it is possible to address the grievances of the protesters, the human rights activist urged protest leaders to cooperate with law enforcement agents, be peaceful as well as desist from provocative actions, remain law abiding and avoiding violence and destruction of properties.