DHQ invites Amnesty International to substantiate claims over allegations on death of civilians

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Defence Headquarters has invited the Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations on death of ten thousand civilians the north east.

The DHQ in a statement issued on Friday by Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations said  the Amnesty International during a press conference held on 5 December 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.

Buba said the armed forces views 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 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, troop have painstakingly abide by the rules of engagement to extensively avoided civilian casualties in whatever shape or form.

“Additionally, whenever arrest are made , suspects are profiled, afterwhich the suspects are handed over to the appropriate agency for release or prosecution.

“As a deterence 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, remains professional in carrying out its constitutional mandates in line with global best practices. “