NHRC to Investigate Allegation of Genocide in Taraba

                               The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission,(NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, says the commission will begin full scale investigations into alleged genocide in Taraba. Angwe spoke in Abuja on Friday when he received a delegation of "Concerned Tiv-Taraba Youths Frontier’’, who complained to the commission over alleged genocide by Fulani herdsmen in the state.

He said that the commission would not relent in its efforts to protect the lives of innocent people, especially where their right to life was threatened.

Angwe said NHRC had the mandate to deal with all matters related to the promotion and protection of human rights.

He assured the group that the commission would deliver on its mandate as it was determined to enforce the rights of the people and bring perpetrators of violence to book.

The executive secretary said the reason for inviting the delegation to the commission was to give them the opportunity to substantiate allegations contained in its complaint.

He said the meeting would provide the commission with relevant information needed for investigation.

Angwe said although the delegation’s complaint was admissible, investigations would be carried to determine the category of the attacks if they were acts of genocide or just wanton killings.

"Genocide is one of the crimes against humanity which will attract the attention of the international community, especially if not properly prosecuted.

The NHRC boss assured the group of a thorough investigation and said the commission would not hesitate to invoke its full powers on alleged violators where the allegations were found to be true.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr David Gbaa, presented documents to the NHRC as proof of their claims.

He appealed to the commission to work toward ensuring that those displaced were resettled; and to ensure payment of compensation of N52 million to the people.