Lawmaker wants sanctions against sexual abusers of IDPs

IDPs

A lawmaker, Rep. Rhimanda Shawulu (PDP-Taraba), has called on security operatives to quickly unravel the persons behind sexual abuses in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Shawulu, who is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, made the call on Monday in Abuja.

There were reports by global rights group, Human Rights Watch, accusing security officials as perpetrating extensive sexual abuse and exploitation in the camps.

The report said officials either raped women and girls or lured them into sex in exchange for financial and material benefits.

Shawulu, however, insisted that the culprits should be unraveled and appropriate sanctions duly applied to serve as deterrent to others.

The lawmaker, who condemned the act, said: “whether it is sexual or any kind of harassment, it ought to attract the appropriate wrath of the law.

“IDP camps are where you have very vulnerable people who have no choice. They are forced to be in that situation.

“So, if anyone will go there to harass or extort, I think the appropriate sanctions within the laws of the security agencies and the laws of the land must be applied,’’ Shawulu said.

The lawmaker commended the efforts of the security agencies in fighting insurgency and ensuring that the territorial integrity of the country was protected.

He said that the National Assembly was committed to better funding for security agencies to ensure they carried out their operations more effectively.

Sympathizing with the Army over the killing of Lt. Col. Muhammed Abu-Ali, Shawulu urged the military not to be deterred in their determination to protect the country.

“The fact that there are casualties does not mean that advancement has not been made.

“It is very sad, you know he was decorated by the Chief of Army Staff and he fought gallantly in the takeover of Bama and some areas close to Sambisa forest.

“He was going on an important mission when this thing happened; the occurrence is very unfortunate, our sympathy goes to his family,’’ the lawmaker said.