Nigeria holds police, army figures on camp rape claims

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria has arrested seven security agents and three civilians for alleged involvement in rape or sexual exploitation of women displaced by Boko Haram insurgents, a Nigerian police chief has revealed.

Speaking in the capital Abuja on Tuesday Ibrahim Idris said two police officers, three army figures, a prison official, an air force officer, a Borno State agriculture official and two civilian Civilian Joint Task Force militia members had been detained.

He said further investigations have begun and that the suspects risked dismissal from their jobs before they face prosecution.

Tuesday's arrests come two months after Human Rights Watch detailed how some Nigerian security operatives were allegedly exploiting women in displaced persons' camp.

The report had called for probe into the incidents. President Muhammadu Buhari followed up by directing police to investigate the claims.

Idris said steps were being taken to prevent such incidents in the future, including the large-scale deployment of female operatives into camps to help protect women and girls.