The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Chief of Army Staff and the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital territory (FCT) to investigate allegations of abduction and rape of some women by men in Army uniform under the guise that the said women were prostitutes. Executive Secretary of NHRC, Professor Bem Angwe, who made the call, requested the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, Abuja to update the commission on any action taken on the subject matter to enable it take further necessary action in line with its mandate. NHRC monitored the report of the incident, as aired by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on the 14th January 2013, where it was reported that on 20th, 21st and 22nd December 2012, some women were allegedly abducted by men in Army uniforms in an unidentified black Hilux Van around Wuse 2, Abuja, under the pretence that they were prostitutes and taken to an unknown destination, where they were beaten and raped. NHRC stated that although the matter is already before the Federal Secretariat, Abuja police station, all forms of rights violations should be condemned in its entirety. It expressed readiness to ensure that the rights of the victims are enforced. When contacted on the development, Army authorities responded, saying they had since ordered the Guards Brigade to investigate the matter. It promised not to shield anybody found to have engaged in any wrongdoing, promising that the culprits will be adequately punished if the allegations are found true .
