Statement of Military’s
Response To Amnesty International Report
The Defence Headquarters has noted
with dismay the gruesome allegations made by the Amnesty International against
some senior military officers serving and retired of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
It is unfortunate that all effort made in the allegation was geared towards
continuation of blackmail against the military hierarchy in which the
organisation had embarked upon as far back as the inception of military’s
action against terrorist in the North East.
The officers mentioned in the report
have no reason, whatsoever, to indulge in the allegation made against them. It
is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified
senior officers, in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation as well as
the image of the military. The action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated
indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.
Each of the previous allegations had
been thoroughly responded to and cleared in the public and officially. The
title down to the body of the allegation smacks of the extreme bias, which is
disturbing coming from an otherwise reputable organisation that is expected to
be Just and fair to all. Unfortunately in this case, has taken a premeditated
position, which is far from noble.
Bodies of some terrorists killed in
battle
It is curious that a body that has
never been able to seriously condemn terror in Nigeria now claims to have done
an extensive research with the aim of discrediting the nation’s effort at
curtailing terror.
It is clear that Amnesty
International (AI) becomes more active in presenting distractive allegations
whenever the terrorists are losing ground in the battle. It is very unfortunate
that Amnesty International has used this report to further confirm its
questionable interest in the counter-terrorism effort in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that the Joint
Investigation Team was set up by the Defence Headquarters as part and parcel of
efforts to ensure that no detainee suffer unjustly. The detention facilities
were thrown open for visits and inspections by independent bodies such as
International Committee of the Red Cross and other reputable international
organisations and personalities.
Amnesty International is advised to
stop playing the role of an irritant coming up loudly only when the terrorists
are losing out and remaining silent or complacent whenever the terrorist
heightens its atrocities. It is unfair to persist in effort to discredit
Nigerian military by seeking all avenues to stigmatise individual officers of the
nation’s military purely to satisfy an agenda against the security agencies and
image of Nigeria before the international community.
The Nigerian Armed Forces is quite
conscious of the fact that the operation has prompted the need to save citizens
from abuse of their rights by mindless terrorists. Accordingly, the forces have
continued to state and restate its commitment to the rights of Nigerians and
all its citizens while prosecuting its anti-terrorism campaign. It is very
unfortunate that Amnesty International has chosen to ignore all the responses
and clarifications provided to its enquires by the authorities.
It is unfair to rely on records or
reports provided by certain disgruntled elements or faceless collaborators who
have axe to grind with the system as evidence against officers who have been
conscientiously doing their duty to defend the nation and her citizens.
For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian
military does not encourage or condone abuse of human rights neither will any
proven case be left unpunished. The kind of impunity being alleged by Amnesty
International has no place in the Nigerian military. Every officer in the field
is responsible for his action and is duly held accountable. So far, no
allegation has been sufficiently proved against those whom Amnesty
International is so desperate to convict.
The statistics are largely spurious
or manipulated to satisfy a clandestine motive. Indeed, the loud publicity
given to these damning allegations suggests an intention to blackmail the
military and particular senior officers rather than a sincere advise to the
government. This cruel tendency is not new, despite the timing.
The Nigerian military therefore
rejects the biased and concocted report provided by Amnesty International.
Additional definite response will be provided subsequently as deemed necessary.
CHRIS OLUKOLADE
Major General
Director Defence Information
Major General
Director Defence Information
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