Armed Forces Of Nigeria, Reiterates Commitment To Protecting Human Rights
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, says it is a professional military force that operates within the ambit of International law of armed conflict and adheres to humanitarian law and principles governing human rights.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria through the Defence Headquarters was reacting to allegations labelled against it by a Report of Amnesty International launched during a Press Conference in Abuja on 10th June 2024.
In a statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Armed Forces of Nigeria said it will not join words with organisations such as Amnesty International, but will encourage them to approach the military high command to substantiate their allegations.
He said the military has self regulating mechanisms with which it administers the military justice system to address any proven case of misconduct of personnel.
The statement said that the Armed Forces led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of improper conduct during operations across the country will be sanctioned.
It said this is why there are standing court martials to treat any form of misbehaviour by erring personnel, especially those that portray the military negatively to the general populace.
The statement further emphasised that the armed forces will remain focussed on its objective and remain unperturbed by such self serving statements targeted at dampening the moral of troops in operational theatres promising to engage constructively with Amnesty International where necessary.
According to the statement, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations assiduously to defeat terrorism in the country.