Plan International Nigeria has called on Nigerian Government to thoroughly investigate allegations of gross violations leveled against security forces in the latest report released on Thursday by Amnesty International.
According to Hussaini Abdu, Plan International’s Country Director in Nigeria, “The Amnesty International report raises a serious alarm and must not be swept under the carpet.
“The allegations of gross violations by the Nigerian security forces must be thoroughly investigated by the government and perpetrators must be brought to justice.
“Girls and women fleeing Boko Haram insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria have experienced some of the worst atrocities and extreme forms of physical and sexual violence, including rape.
” There are consistent reports that these violations have been perpetrated not just by insurgents but also other actors, including government officials. This is totally unacceptable and must be addressed as an urgent priority.
“Mechanisms must be put in place for survivors to report incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse, and have access to justice. It is also critical that training and oversight of troops emphasise that sexual exploitation and sexual violence are unlawful and violate the rights of women and girls.
“Plan International has been strongly advocating for systematic protection of displaced adolescent girls who are particularly vulnerable due to their age and gender. This includes preventing and responding to sexual and gender based violence.
” Survivors of sexual violence must be able to access the full range of psychosocial support services, including essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, case management and referral services.”
Since 2014, Plan International Nigeria has been active in education, nutrition, protection and health sectors in Nigeria. We have project presence in 10 states including Borno, Adamawa, Cross River, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kaduna and Abuja as the Country Office.
The organisation has humanitarian field offices in Mubi, Adamawa state and Maiduguri, Borno state. We are working in the sectors of Education in Emergencies, Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence as well as Livelihoods with a focus on Youth Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods as Protection Enabler.
Our response is targeting internally displaced persons as well the host communities. Our Response in North-East Nigeria is part of Plan International’s regional Lake Chad Programme, which responds to the needs of people affected in the Lake Chad Crisis in Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria.
This year Plan International has so far:
• Identified and supported 529 cases of gender-based violence
• Reached over 12000 children with mobile Child Friendly Spaces where children and learn and play in a safe environment
• Screened more than 22,000 children for malnutrition
• Built 32 temporary learning spaces
• Enrolled 5752 girls and 5333 boys in school via mobile units
• Provided cash assistance to over 6700 vulnerable people
• Provided educational material to more than 938 children.
