…Just as UN seeks review of 42 cases
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) on Wednesday reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law just as the United Nations disclosed that 42 legacy cases are currently under review.
General Musa said Nigeria is in strict adherence to globally accepted human rights standards across all military operations.
The Minister gave this assurance at the Ship House, Abuja, during a diplomatic working visit by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Victims’ Rights Advocate, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma, and her delegation, a statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde SA (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence stated.
Briefing the visiting UN team on the comprehensive frameworks implemented by the Federal Government to address historical challenges from past foreign peacekeeping operations, General Musa assured the delegation of a transparent, seamless communication channel.
This mechanism is designated to expeditiously resolve long-standing paternity claims arising from legacy missions in Liberia, bringing a definitive closure to the decades-old issue.
In her remarks, Ms. Najla Nassif Palma outlined 42 legacy cases currently under review and sought the collaborative support of the Nigerian government in securing justice and closure for the victims, noting that some affected individuals have expressed a desire to acquire Nigerian citizenship.
Concluding the strategic engagement, both the Minister and the UN Assistant Secretary-General agreed to institutionalized a robust partnership.
This collaboration will feature specialised training, joint workshops, and advanced capacity-building initiatives designed to further embed human rights protection into the operational doctrine of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.