AMNESTY REPORT ON NIGERIAN MILITARY, A DISTRACTION – CSOS

A coalition of civil society organizations has described the June 3, 2015 Amnesty International (AI) report on the activities of the Nigerian military in the insurgency-ridden North-east geo-political zone as being not only lopsided and orchestrated by some disgruntled elements but also a distraction.

The Convener of the coalition Dr Nwambu Gabriel, who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, picked holes in the AI report that accused the military of possible human right violation in the course of undertaking counter terrorism against the Boko Haram sect.

Dr Gabriel stated that the report alleged that the Nigerian military committed countless torture, extra-judicially executed more than 1,200 people, and arbitrarily arrested 20,000 people without talking about the number of military killed by the insurgents whose sources of funds and backers it failed to also investigate.

He stressed the need for objectivity on the part of AI, recalling that the Defence Headquaters once set up an investigation team, including notable organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross with a view to showing respect for human right and transparency when the Amnesty International initially complained about terror suspect detainees suffering unjustly.

He said the Nigerian military had demonstrated its stand on discipline on peacekeeping operations abroad and in Nigeria, stressing that it would be a disservice if it failed tell the truth.

“We believe that Amnesty International report is rather distraction and too early for a government that is less than one month. President Buhari should be allowed to settle down in office on matters of governance since the fight on insurgency is still ongoing…They should stop looking for cheap popularity.  

“Amnesty International should as a matter of urgency render a written apology to the Nigerian military for raising false alarm, wrong information and misinformation to the International Community,” he added.