The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns about the increasing cases of kidnapping in Nigeria particularly in the north central region.
At a meeting in Abuja on Friday with the Igbo and Catholic communities in Benue State, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe, said kidnapping of persons was a gross violation of peoples rights.
The group had come to submit a petition to the commission on the cases of kidnapping in the region.
Professor Angwe told them that the commission would invoke the nation’s laws to deal with persons caught violating the rights of others.
He said that the NHRC had in the recent past received similar petitions in relations to threats and kidnappings of some other residents of Benue State.
“I give the assurance that the National Human Rights Commission will take immediate action to redress this.
“I also want to let you know that as Nigerians you are free to live in any part of Nigeria and it becomes a responsibility of government at all levels to protect lives and property
“Every Nigerian is entitled to live a life without fear of molestation or any form of human rights abuse,” Professor Angwe stressed.
The Igbo community led by Mr Ikechukwu Obi, had petitioned the commission over the kidnap of 17 of their members in Gboko, Benue State, between 2013 and May 2016.
A group of Catholics also submitted a petition over the kidnap of the Vicar of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Very Reverend Father John Adeyi who is still being held by his abductors since the April 24.