Buratai: There’ll be no rights violations under my watch

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, has vowed that the rights of citizens will not be violated by soldiers under his watch.

The Nigerian military has come under biting criticisms over allegations of human rights abuses committed by soldiers combating insurgency in the northeast of Nigeria.

In June, Amnesty International, a human rights watchdog, named the former service chiefs as complicit in alleged war crimes‎ committed by soldiers in the northeast.

The organisation also alleged that‎ about 8, 000 civilians were being held in dehumanising condition and without charge in military cells in the northeast.

But the military dismissed the allegations as “premeditated blackmail”.
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‎Speaking on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) led by Ben Angwe, executive secretary of the commission, Buratai said the army would carry out its duties professionally and responsively, and in compliance with the constitution.
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Sani Usman, colonel and army spokesman, who released a statement on the army’s website, said Angwe congratulated the COAS on his appointment, describing the visit as a family one.

“He commended the Nigeria army’s efforts in the ongoing fight against the insurgency in the northeastern part of the country, reiterating the need for a good relationship between the Nigeria army and the commission at all times,” he said.

“He applauded the qualities exhibited by the Nigerian army personnel by ensuring that they put up their best to have a secured Nigeria.

“Responding, the COAS, Tukur Buratai, thanked the executive secretary for the visit and promised that the Nigeria army will continue to collaborate with the commission, adding that all aspects of human rights will continue to be respected as enshrined in the constitution.

“He assured the commission that the Nigeria army will always discharge its duties professionally and responsively in line with his vision, affirming that no personnel will be involved in human rights abuses while carrying out assigned tasks under his watch.”