Navy to establish a community hospital at Odeakpe near Onitsha, as Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation tackles Navy on abuse of Human Rights

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Nigerian Navy has assured the citizenry of its commitment to respect for human rights in the discharge of duty.

    Navy Capt. Muhammed Dahiru, Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost, Onitsha in Anambra gave the assurance when a eight-member delegation from the Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation visited him on Friday.
Dahiru said human rights violations by the military had reduced drastically over the years, saying serious efforts were being made military authorities to address the situation.

    The commander said the naval base was established in 2010 as a result of inadequacies of the Nigerian Navy to strategically cover the River Niger following contemporary challenges of security.

    He said it was also established to beef up security along the river ahead of the anticipated economic activities at the Onitsha Inland Port when it becomes fully operational.

    According to him, the Outpost had been integrated into the security operation of the state government’s tagged “Operation Kpochapu” – Operation clear.

    “Although it has a small unit, the command had achieved a lot in stamping out robbery, transportation of illegal drugs, guns and illegal dredging along the River Niger.

    “We recently arrested a female child trafficker with a child at a check point in Onitsha and we were able to reunite the child with her parents.

    “We have well-trained officers even though we may have some bad eggs; we will not hesitate to bring them to book if found culpable,” he said.
Dahiru assured the human rights group of Navy’s continued respect for human rights while carrying out its duty as well as build cordial relationship with civilians.

    Earlier, leader of the human rights delegation, Mr Dede Uzor said the visit was aimed at strengthening the cordial relationship existing with the military formation to build a civil and better society.

    Uzor, also the National Publicity Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, (CD) said human rights groups and Navy had similar responsibility of protecting citizens and their rights.

    He commended the Commander for checkmating crime and criminality on the waterways and at checkpoints across the state.

    The human rights activist also lauded plans by the Navy Commander to establish a community hospital at Odeakpe near Onitsha as well as plans to attract a navy school in the state.

    He noted that there was no navy school located in the South East geo-political zone and urged stakeholders in the zone to support the move. Uzor appealed to the commander to assist in enforcing the use of Pedestal Bridge at Uga junction in Onitsha, where he said, many had lost their lives in an attempt to cross the expressway.