On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Major-General Ibrahim Ali, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, received a courtesy visit from members of the Special Independent Investigative Panel (SIIP) on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East.
The National Human Rights Commission appointed a panel, which was chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, to look into allegations made by Reuter that members of the Nigerian Armed Forces stationed in OPHK violated human rights.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Justice Aboki revealed that SIIP North East was established to look into the claims made in Reuter’s article in order to offer reforms that would address the claimed infractions as well as issues of culpability and accountability.
The visit, according to the National Human Rights Commission Chairman, also enables them to engage with the Theatre and other pertinent stakeholders for efficient coordination and inquiry. They can also introduce the panel to the Theatre Commander.
The Theatre Commander, who was spoken for by the Deputy Theatre Commander Maj-Gen KA Isoni, responded by thanking the C-in-C President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff General LEO Irabor, and the Service Chiefs for helping to form the investigation Panel. Additionally, he said that the Theatre has nothing to hide and that it will not back down from providing the panel with the necessary assistance and cooperation.
The General Officer Commanding 7 Division NA and Commander Sector 1 OPHK Maj Gen W Shaibu claimed earlier in his remarks that the Nigerian Armed Forces are known throughout the world for their professionalism and discipline in their conducts. The GOC claimed that the study is at odds with the ideals, ethics, and ethos of the Nigerian Army and referred to it as a fabrication of merchants of untruth.
Members of the investigation panel, the commander of the maritime component, Commodore BTJ Yeldin, and the principal staff officers of the headquarters theatre command, OPHK, were present.
