By Muhammad Tanko Shittu
Jos
Government officials and other authorities in Nigeria have been accused of raping and sexually exploiting women and girls displaced by the conflict occasioned by Boko Haram, Human Rights Watch (HRW), said yesterday.
The HRW said: “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.”
The HRW said in its report issued by Nigerian researcher, Mausi Segun, made available to newsmen, alleged that it had in late July, 2016, documented sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation, “of 43 women and girls living in seven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.”
It said the victims had been displaced from several Borno towns and villages, including Abadam, Bama, Baga, Damasak, Dikwa, Gamboru Ngala, Gwoza, Kukawa, and Walassa.
“In some cases, the victims had arrived in the under-served Maiduguri camps, where their movement is severely restricted after spending months in military screening camps.
“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 further alleged
“It is disgraceful and outrageous that people who should protect these women and girls are attacking and abusing them,” added the report.
The HRW also alleged that some of the victims were drugged and raped, while 37 others were coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance. Many of those coerced into sex said they were abandoned if they became pregnant.
“They and their children have suffered discrimination, abuse, and stigmatization from other camp residents. Eight of the victims said they were previously abducted by Boko Haram fighters and forced into marriage before they escaped to Maiduguri,” it added.
