Report says women, girls face abuse in Nigerian camps

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Security forces manning displaced persons’ camps in Nigeria have sexually exploited women and girls, a Human Rights Watch report claimed Monday.

A “worried” Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a probe into the allegations.

The report said women -- many of whom had fled the Boko Haram insurgency -- were often drugged and raped after refusing unwanted advances, many becoming pregnant as a result.

Victims were also warned off reporting the abuse with threats of further harm, researchers found. Those abused often later faced stigmatization or hostility from other camp residents.

Four of the victims told Human Rights Watch they were drugged and raped, while 37 were coerced into sex through false marriage proposals or promises of material and financial help.

“The government is not doing enough to protect displaced women and girls and ensure that they have access to basic rights and services or to sanction the abusers, who include camp leaders, vigilante groups, policemen and soldiers,” according to the report.

Mausi Segun, senior Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, was quoted as saying: “It is bad enough that these women and girls are not getting much-needed support for the horrific trauma they suffered at the hands of Boko Haram.

“It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them.”

-Official investigation-

Later on Monday presidential spokesman Garba Shehu released a statement which said the Human Rights Watch claims “are not being taken lightly”.

“President Buhari has instructed the Inspector General of Police and the state governors of the affected states to immediately commence investigations into the issue.

“Their findings will determine the next course of action for the government and define an appropriate response,” Shehu added.

Neither the army nor police responded to Anadolu Agency's request for comment. However, a spokesman for a civilian vigilante group, Jubrin Gumda, said Human Rights Watch had not informed them of such allegations against their members.

Monday’s claims are not entirely new. Various NGOs and individuals have long alleged an unofficial “sex-for-food” policy at the camps.

In July, NOI Polls, a local research organization, reported that 66 percent of 400 displaced people in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states said camp officials sexually abused female residents.