The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Nigerian government to urgently provide and facilitate access to adequate healthcare for the children and women raped and impregnated by Boko Haram militants.

“Having survived the horrific crime of rape and sexual violence, the children and women should be spared further physical and mental torture by ensuring that they are urgently allowed access to all necessary medical treatment.

“Such medical treatment must be provided on a non-discriminatory basis,” a statement issued by SERAP read.

According to SERAP, under international law, all victims of conflict, including rape victims, must receive the best care as soon as possible.

The group stressed that the children and women were entitled, as of right, to enjoy access to good quality medical care, including for sexual and reproductive health.

In the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Sambisa Forest in Borno State, Nigeria-s north-east, military troops have rescued over 400 women and children, with some pregnant women among them.

Some of the rescued persons have been handed over to the National Emergency Management Agency, which assured the victims of insurgency that they would be taken care of.