DHQ fumes over human rights report, says ‘Amnesty sponsored to frustrate peace’

The defence headquarters has accused Amnesty International of truncating efforts at ensuring peace and security by peddling “deliberate falsehood” which paints the country in bad light.

The DHQ said this in reaction to the AI’s recent report of human rights violations by the Nigerian army.

John Agim, acting director of information, defence headquarters, said Amnesty “has made it a routine duty to continue to generate tension among Nigerians by releasing unconfirmed and unsubstantiated claims and figures relating to the military operations in the country to the public”.

In the statement released Saturday, Agim said Amnesty’s “unsubstantiated” reports since 2011 are “geared towards weakening the efforts of the AFN at ensuring peace and security in the country”.

The statement read in part: “The figures released by the organisation showed that 4,900 Boko Haram detainees were held in Giwa Barracks in an overcrowded facility where 340 detainees had already died of diseases and dehydration. They further stated that 164 civilians were killed by the Nigerian Air Force when an IDP camp was hit at Rann by a Nigerian Air Force fighter Jet and also that 12 IPOB members were kill in Umuahia by the AFN.

“Unfortunately, AI has failed to acknowledge the ongoing fair trial and conviction of culpable members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the release of those not found guilty. The number of persons released and re-integrated with the larger community is over 500. Both the convicted and freed suspects were earlier arrested from different locations across the country and taken to Kainji, a place that is relatively safer with enough space to accommodate them while providing the detainees with three square meals daily.

“The suspects were also given proper medical attention by military medical team attached to the detention facility. It is notable that the arrested Boko Haram members from the ongoing Operation Lafiya Dole were being tried by the Federal High Court at Wawa Cantonment Kainji since Friday 16 February 2018 convicting 205 detainees to various jail terms while 526 suspects have been freed for want of evidence.

“Generally, the authenticity and sources of figures generated by AI are worrisome. Regrettably, the military high commands were never contacted for clarification or guidance. The defence headquarters on its own made concerted efforts to meet with the country management of AI to discuss related issues without success, as they had consistently failed to show up.

“This reaction of AI connotes that the body in Nigeria could have been sponsored to frustrate conflict resolution efforts towards peace and positive development of the nation.”