By Gbemiga Olamikan.
The Defence Headquarters has invited Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations that over ten thousand civilians died in Nigerian Military detention facilities since the onset of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria (NE). This was contained in a statement signed by Director Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen. Edward Buba in Abuja.
Gen Buba 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. He said that armed forces view the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous, particularly as it is coming at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the North East.
Gen Buba said, “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”
He stated further that, “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. He said, whenever arrests are made, suspects are profiled, after which the suspects are handed over to the appropriate agency for release or prosecution.
As a deterrence to unethical conducts, there are standing Court Martials within the operational theatres to ensure justice is immediately administered to any erring personnel during operations”.
Gen Buba therefore said that “It is necessary to reiterate that the armed forces under the able leadership of the CDS, General Christopher Musa, remains professional in carrying out its constitutional mandates in line with global best practices. 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.
