NEMA constitutes investigation panel on alleged IDP camp rape, child trafficking

ABUJA (NEMA Report) – An investigation panel has been constituted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in consultation with relevant stakeholders to look into allegations of child trafficking and rape in some internally displaced persons’ camps in the North – East of Nigeria. 

According to the publicity from the Press and Public Relations Department of the agency on Tuesday February 10, 2015, the Director General of  NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi on Monday February 9, 2015 in Abuja in a swift reaction to an online publication titled: ‘GRIM TALES OF RAPE, CHILD TRAFFICKING IN DISPLACED PERSONS’ CAMPS by the International Center for Investigative Reporting – icirnigeria.org and republished by Premium Times, also an online-based news organization,  met with stakeholders, including representatives  of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) as well as the  Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency and a representative of the publisher. 

NEMA publicity further revealed that the committee has the membership of  the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Human Rights Commission, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, Journalists Against Disaster and NEMA. Others mentioned were the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, International Organisation for Migration, SEMA Borno, SEMA Gombe and SEMA Adamawa. It intensified that Sani Sidi urged the committee to work in a transparent  and honest manner. 

“The panel which has two weeks to complete its investigation has the following terms of reference: Verification of allegations by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, interaction with all stakeholders, carrying out town hall meetings in all the camps mentioned in the allegation, interacting with the University of  Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and interacting with  NEMA North – East Zonal Office, SEMAs, SSS, the Red Cross, Army and Police,” the report said.  

“The panel will also interact with IDPs and theirs Leaders, interact with other international players e.g. IOM, determine if there is any culpability of Government Agencies and any other things which in the opinion of the committee will facilitate the accomplishment of its assignment.”