NHRC set to probe pre-election violence, hate speeches

The National Human Rights Commission has said it is set to commence investigation into cases of pre-election violence and hate speeches reported to it across the country.

A statement on Sunday by the commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Fatimah Agwai, said the NHRC had so far, received about 16 complaints from various persons and groups on election related violence.

Agwai, therefore said the governing council and management of the commission would soon be dispatched to states like Kaduna, Benue, Lagos and Rivers which had recorded high cases of pre-election violence.

She said the visit by the commission’s officials to the identified states would enable them to interact with key political actors and security personnel on strategies to prevent election violence during the 2015 general elections.

The NHRC urged “all stakeholders to avail it with useful information that will enable it take informed decisions on cases of election violence.”

The commission said the visit would also afford its officials the opportunity to discuss with major political stakeholders on further measures against hate speech and election violence.