14th September, 2017
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an independent investigation of human rights abuses and alleged humiliation of unarmed civilians by soldiers in Abia.
The party made the call in a statement by Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, its National Secretary of National Caretaker Committee on Thursday in Abuja.
It said that a video clip of the alleged humiliation of civilians had gone viral.
The party said that though it welcomed Nigerian Army’s initiative to probe the incident, the humiliation of citizens, given the enormity of the allegation, was unacceptable.
“The party hereby calls for the setting up of an independent panel of experts on human rights to ascertain the veracity of this allegation.
“Where they are proven to be true, the PDP demands that all perpetrators as well as those connected, however remotely, be immediately brought to justice.
“This would go a long way to serve as a deterrent and reassure the international community that Nigeria is not a jungle but a decent society where human rights are promoted,’’ it said.
It added that the PDP believed that human life was sacrosanct and must be treated as such by all and sundry.
The PDP said that the right to life and liberty as enshrined in the country’s Constitution and other international conventions must not only be respected and protected but must be seen to be so.
“The PDP frowns at and condemns violence in all its ramifications and calls on Nigerians, wherever they are, to eschew it and live peacefully with one another,’’ the statement further said.