Taking a tough stand against detractors, the Nigerian Army has accused some foreign media houses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society groups of plans to initiate “false claims” of human rights violations by the Nigerian Army in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the country.
A statement by the acting director of Army public relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, on Tuesday, also said that those responsible for the alleged smear campaign against the military were not happy with the progress achieved so far in addressing the security challenges in the nation, adding that such act was capable of undermining government’s efforts at tackling insecurity.
“It has come to our knowledge that some foreign media, Nongovernmental and Civil Society Organizations in collaboration with some of their Nigerian affiliates and Civil Society Organizations for reasons best known to them are about to start making false claims of alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian Army.
“It is clear that these group of people and their collaborators are not happy with the progress made on the efforts to solve the security problems bedeviling our nation as manifested in the terrorists activities.
“The implication of such act is not lost on us as it is capable of thwarting the gains in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. In addition, these unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements are far less concern about the general well being of our citizens. They are driven by material and pecuniary gains,” he said.
He therefore reiterated the Army’s commitment to upholding human rights principles and practice, saying that the Nigerian Army has been protecting human rights and it is not party to any breach of human rights in the country or during any of its operations.
“We would not condone any Human rights abuses. Where there are allegations of human rights violation by any individual or group, this would be thoroughly investigated and those found guilty would be brought to book in accordance with extant laws.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army would not succumb to blackmail and neither would it be distracted from its determined effort of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation and safeguarding the security of its citizens,” Usman added.
