Defence HQ Denies Involvement Of Army In Human Rights Abuses

The Defence Headquarters in Nigeria has dismissed reports of
extra-judicial killings and abuse of human rights by Amnesty
International.

Director, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade on
Tuesday, said the "military takes very seriously issues of human
rights and it will be absurd for the Nigerian Armed Forces as an
institution to perpetrate such unprofessional act in the manner
portrayed by Amnesty International".

He stated that the Defence Headquarters considered the allegations too
grievous to be associated with Nigerian troops considering the
doctrinal and operational content of training imparted on the military
officials on a continuous basis.

He, however, added that the military viewed the allegations seriously
as it bordered on the integrity of the counter-terrorism operation.

To this end, a fresh investigative team has been set up to ascertain
the veracity of the claims.

According to him, the ultimate aim of the Nigerian counter-terrorism
operations is to stamp-out terrorism from the country with the
application of international best practices and the laws governing
Nigeria.

Amnesty International, in its report, claimed to have " a fresh
evidence of war crimes, including extrajudicial executions, and
other serious human rights violationsbeing carried out in
North-Eastern Nigeria as the fight by the military against Boko Haram
and other armed groups intensifies."

The military in its response said: "Much as the scenes depicted in the
videos are alien to our operations and doctrines, it has to be
investigated to ensure that such practices have not crept,
surreptitiously into the system.

"The Defence Headquarters considers these allegations too grievous to
be associated with Nigerian troops, considering the doctrinal and
operational contents of the training imparted on personnel on a
continuous basis; emphasising the importance of respect for human
rights and dignity of human person as well as observance of
humanitarian laws.

"Notwithstanding the cases of impersonations that have pervaded the
counter terrorism operations in Nigeria and many other related issues
which cast doubts on the claims made in the video, the military
authorities view those grave allegations very seriously, more so as it
borders on the integrity of the on-going counter-terrorism operation,
which must be sustained in the interest of our national survival

"Consequently, the Defence Headquarters in addition to the already
existing Joint Investigation Team (JIT), has constituted a team of
senior officers and legal cum forensic experts to study the video
footage and the resultant allegations of infractions in order to
ascertain the veracity of the claims with a view to identifying those
behind such acts," the military said in a statement.

According to the statement, the investigation would further determine
and stimulate necessary legal action against any personnel or anyone
found culpable in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The Nigerian Armed Forces warned that it cannot condone any action or
inaction that tramples on the right to life of any Nigerian, pointing
out that the ultimate objective of Nigeria's counter-terrorism
operation is the complete cessation of the heinous and barbaric
activities of the terrorists and to stamp out every vestige of
terrorism, with the application of international best practices in
such operations.

"It will, therefore, be absurd for the Nigerian Armed Forces as an
institution to perpetrate such unprofessional acts in the manner and
level depicted in that video as alleged by Amnesty International.

"Indeed, that level of barbarism and impunity has no place in the
Nigerian military. Respect for the sanctity of life is always boldly
emphasiSed in our doctrinal trainings. It must thus be reiterated that
the Nigerian military is a very well organized professional body of
troops whose conducts in war and peace times are guided
comprehensively by law. The Armed Forces of Nigeria is conscious of
the nation's obligation to observe all rules, regulations and
commitments in all activities, and wishes to reassure all Nigerians,
the civil societies and the international community that it will not
encourage or condone any form of human rights violation as depicted in
the said report," the Armed Forces further stated.

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