From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has challenged Amnesty International(AI), the international human rights organisation to prove its allegations accusing the Nigerian armed forces of committing crimes against humanity in the North-East.
The DHQ, said armed forces views the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit, as well as mischievous, especially as it comes at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the North East.
Amnesty International had, during a media briefing, alleged that over 10,000 people have died in military custody since the onset of the counter insurgency operations in the north east.
Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, had during the media briefing said that his organisation had filed a case with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, alleging crimes against humanity in the region.
But in a swift reaction, the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, condemned the allegations, insisting that the armed forces operates as a professional force.
He said that suspects arrested during military operations are thoroughly profiled, after which they are handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation that ends up either in their release or prosecution.
Buba in the statement said ; “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to some spurious allegations made by Amnesty International during a press conference held on 5 Dec 24. It was alleged that, since the onset of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria (NE) over ten thousand civilians died in Nigerian Military detention facilities among other spurious allegations.
The armed forces views the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous, particularly as it coming at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the NE.
Though the Armed Forces is not willing to join words with Amnesty International, it is of utmost necessity to set the records straight. The Nigerian military is a professional forces which conducts its operations within the dictates of international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflicts.
Though the operational environment has been complex and challenging, troops have painstakingly abided by the rules of engagement to extensively avoid civilian casualties in whatever shape or form. Additionally, whenever arrests are made, suspects are profiled, after which the suspects are handed over to the appropriate agency for release or prosecution.
As a deterrent to unethical conducts, there are standing court martials within the operational theatres to ensure justice is immediately administered to any erring personnel during operations. Overall, it is necessary to reiterate that the armed forces, under the able leadership of the CDS, General Christopher Musa, remain professional in carrying out their constitutional mandates in line with global best practices.
He said, “On the whole, the armed forces invites Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations. This will enable the military to conduct an inquiry in order to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the made allegations.