Executive Secretary of Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has urged the President Bola Tinubu administration to adopt policies that ensure protection of civilians during conflicts, in line with international best practices. 
   
Ojukwu gave the admonition, yesterday, at a workshop and photo exhibition on protection of civilians and human rights in Nigeria, held in Abuja. The NHRC boss noted that protection of civilians in conflict from violence and human rights violations is a sacred duty of government and non-state actors.
   
He said it was for this reason that the commission and other stakeholders worked on, and submitted to the Federal Government, a draft policy on protection of civilians. 
   
Ojukwu explained: “This policy is aimed at addressing all issues related to protection, treatment and rehabilitation of civilians, as well as remedial and accountability measures for perpetrators of violence and human rights violations. We are hoping that in response to the upsurge in violence, the new administration will approve this policy. 
   
Also, Country Director of Centre for Civilians in Conflict, Dr Benson Olugbuo, urged Tinubu and new service chiefs to understand dynamics of current conflicts. 
   
He added: “The recent appointment of new service chiefs and other security heads by President Tinubu provides opportunity for a reset. Charting the course for a secure and safe Nigeria for civilians can only begin with an honest and bold conversation with communities that have been severely affected by years of insurgency.”