The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai has berated the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to in it’s bid to open a full investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity reportedly committed by the Nigerian security forces and terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Njenje Media News reports that Buratai, speaking from self-isolation over COVID-19 fears said the ICC decision would be a setback for internal security operations and with attendant negative consequences on troops trying to combat the Boko Haram menace.
In his words;
“The Nigerian Army’s attention has been drawn to a press release by the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday 12 December 2020, alleging that she has found a reasonable basis to believe that ‘members of the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF)’ have committed acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes.
“This was immediately followed by a release by the local branch of Amnesty International (AI) in Nigeria ‘demanding full investigation of atrocities by Nigerian forces.
“There is no doubt such statement and instigation can distract the Nigerian Army troops with its demoralising effects. It will have negative consequences on troops morale, interest in military service by Nigerians and be a severe setback to all our internal security operations in the country.
“However, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General TY Buratai, enjoins Nigerian Army troops to ignore the distractions and call on the gallant troops never to be worried or demoralised by these moves.
“He further enjoined troops to ignore the wicked, unnecessary distractions and direct troops to fully concentrate on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists group, which is in sight.”
The CoAS also charged troops to adhere to the rules of engagement, code of conduct, and standard operating procedure.
The statement further added;
“He also charges the troops to work hard and be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rules of Engagement, the Code of Conduct and the Standing Operating Procedures for all Nigerian Army Operations.
“The Nigerian Army is not only protecting human rights but also sustaining human rights nationally and globally. Our professional conduct over the years and most recently during the #ENDSARS protest at Lekki Village near Lagos are clear testimonies to the Nigerian Army’s posture on promoting sustainable human rights policy.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to advise local or international organisations not to allow themselves be used to destabilise or destroy the troops’ morale by the sponsors of mischief in Nigeria.”
Njenje Media News recalls that the International Criminal Court, (ICC) has announced that it’s opening a full scale investigation into allegations of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity in Nigeria.
