The National Human Right Commission, NHRC, has raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the North-east which has led to serious violations of human rights.

This is contained in a communiqué issued on Sunday by the governing council of the commission at the end of its second statutory meeting in Gombe State.

While acknowledging the efforts of government at both federal and state levels as well as those of security agencies in addressing these security challenges, the NHRC expressed worry that the atrocities committed particularly by the insurgents, constitute a pattern of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The communique which was signed by the chairman NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu and the executive secretary, Bem Angwe, called for a regular and continuing inter-governmental cooperation and dialogue in solving security challenges in the region.

It noted that there was a growing number of illegal detention centres run by unauthorized persons across the country but stressed that the power of detention being an exception to constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty, can only be exercised by statutorily authorized institutions in gazetted facilities.

The commission urged government to come up with a comprehensive humanitarian plan for the North east to improve the conditions of victims of the insurgency whivh has put the country in constant spotlight internationally.

The council also welcomed the support from regional and international partners in the ongoing search and rescue operations for the over 200 abducted Chibok school girls as well as other measures taken to enhance effective protection of lives and security in the affected states, of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

“Council expressed concern about the growing trend of the abandonment of children, neglect of parental responsibilities and the absence of effective institutions to address these as provided by laws such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act,” the communique stated.

It therefore directed its executive secretariat to liaise with the relevant institutions of government to take necessary steps towards responding to the situation.

The NHRC is also examining whether the Same Sex Prohibition Act and its provisions are consistent with human rights norms and has asked the secretariat to monitor pending court processes concerning the law and advise council.