The Anambra state government has recently announced the approval for the establishment of a bureau of missing persons, which will be located within the Ministry of Justice. According to the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, the decision to create the bureau was made at the State Executive Council meeting.
This move is part of the government’s commitment to fulfilling the recommendation of the Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.
The Commission, which had Prof. Chidi Odinkalu as chairman, Bianca Ojukwu as Secretary, and Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje as a member, submitted its report to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Feb. 17.
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The purpose of the committee was to seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts, and for the healing of the victims of the violence that had led to agitations, killings, and destruction of property in the state and southeast region.
The bureau’s mandate includes tracing cases of missing persons and creating a needed database to support police investigations and eventual prosecution of suspects. Additionally, the bureau’s establishment is meant to account for the responsibility and accountability of the actors and conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators.
The bureau will also handle victims’ restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation to allow restoration of peace and justice, as well as the promotion of development in the state.
