The Nigerian Armed Forces on Friday dismissed allegations by Amnesty International 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), as spurious .
A statement signed by Director Defence Media Operations. Major General Edward Buba stated that the armed forces views “the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous,” particularly as it coming at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the NE.
The armed Forces invites Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations, if they have facts to enable the military to conduct an inquiry in order to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the made allegations”
The statement read as follows, “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.
“The armed forces views the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous, particularly as it 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, 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.
“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.
“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.”
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Amnesty International made the allegations on during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja. Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi,alleged that over 10,000 people have died in military custody since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria in 2009..
Isa Sanusi, announced that the organisation has filed a case with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, alleging crimes against humanity in the region.
“The Nigerian military has frequently treated anyone from areas controlled by Boko Haram as suspected members of the group,” Sanusi added.
He said documented war crimes by government forces, includes attacks on civilians, extrajudicial executions, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances.
According to him, Amnesty’s findings also suggest that members of the Nigerian military may have committed crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, imprisonment, and gender-based persecution.
Observers are wondering why
the allegations by Amnesty comes days after the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), decried the prolonged investigation of the Nigerian military by the ICC, and describing it as unjust.
Fagbemi in a statement made available to the media in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, had informed the international community that the prolonged investigation of the Nigerian military was unjust as the allegations were unfounded .
According to the statement, the AGF, in his remarks at the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC in Hague, stated that Nigeria at the global stage had demonstrated the will to promote justice and end terrorism among other global crimes.
The AGF, while expressing the country’s commitment to confronting impunity, holding perpetrators of heinous crimes accountable, and restoring justice for victims, noted further that the preliminary examination into alleged crimes in Nigeria had lasted 14 years and was demoralising to the service men laying their lives to defend their country against terrorists.
“While we respect the court’s mandate to intervene when states are unable or unwilling to prosecute such crimes, it is important to emphasise that there must be respect and regard to the principle of complementarity. The ICC is meant to act as a court of last resort, intervening only when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to address grave crimes. I must assert that Nigeria does not fall under any such situation.
” Our nation has consistently demonstrated both the will and the capacity to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including those committed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. We are proud of the Nigerian military, which has systems and structures in place to ensure their operations are guided by international humanitarian law and human rights principles.
“At the 22nd Session of this Assembly, Nigeria reported the establishment of an independent Special Investigative Panel by the National Human Rights Commission to address allegations against the Nigerian military made by Reuters. After thorough investigations spanning eight months, the panel found no evidence to substantiate these claims. The allegations of killings, torture, and the recruitment of underage fighters have been proven to be false and exaggerated.
“Nigeria stands firm with fellow State Parties in the shared commitment to ending impunity for the world’s most serious crimes. We fully support the work of the ICC and encourage those States Parties yet to accede to the Rome Statute to do so.”