National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, North-west Zonal office, Kano, said on Wednesday that it received 583 cases in 2017 and trained 50 police officers on citizens’ fundamental human rights.
Zonal Coordinator, NHRC, North-west Zonal office, Hauwa Salihu, disclosed in Kano that out of the 583 cases, 256 were completed, while 327 were ongoing.
She said that most of the cases were on domestic violence, abandonment of children after divorce and gender-based discrimination.
Mrs Salihu said that other cases included inheritance conflict, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, unlawful arrest and detention, among others.
The zonal coordinator said that the commission mediated on conciliation and reconciliation among couples and families.
Mrs Salihu said that other cases were referred to courts after thorough investigation, while others were settled within the commission.
She said that the commission has also concluded arrangements to train 50 police officers on fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens in 2018.
According to her, the Commission wants them to observe the fundamental rights of the citizens in the constitution such as rights to live, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
Mrs Salihu explained that in the discharge of their duties police officers should observe the rights of the people, including suspects at the point of arrest, detention and when they are in police custody.
NHRC was established by National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995, as amended by the NHRC Act, 2010 in line with the resolution of the United Nations’ General Assembly, which enjoins all member states to establish national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Zonal Coordinator added that the commission will visit 12 schools both public and private to enlighten them on their rights, how to comport themselves and to desist from any form of social vices within and outside the school premises.
“This will help children to know their rights, create awareness and reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault,” she said.
Mrs Salihu advised the public to know their rights and to seek redress when their rights are violated.
It will also be recalled that the commission trained 50 police officers last year on the rights of Nigerian citizens.
NAN
