The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described as “shocking and mischievous” an allegation by Amnesty International (AI) that 10,000 civilians died in Nigerian military detention facilities in 14 years of counter-insurgency operations.
The military high command refuted the allegations in a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, yesterday.
The Amnesty International at a press conference on Thursday had among other spurious allegations alleged that since the onset of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria (NE) over 10,000 civilians died in Nigerian military detention facilities
But the defence spokesman said the allegations lacked merit “particularly as it is coming at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the North East”.
He said: “Though the Armed Forces are not willing to join words with Amnesty International, it is of utmost necessity to set the records straight.
“The Nigerian military is a professional force which conducts its operations within the dictates of international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflicts.
“Though the operational environment has been complex and challenging, troops have painstakingly abided by the rules of engagement to extensively avoid civilian casualties in whatever shape or form.
“Additionally, whenever arrests are made, suspects are profiled, after which the suspects are handed over to the appropriate agency for release or prosecution.
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“As a deterence to unethical conducts, there are standing courts within the operational theatres to ensure justice is immediately administered to any erring personnel during operations.
“Overall, it is necessary to reiterate that the armed forces, under the able leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, remains professional in carrying out its constitutional mandates in line with global best practices.”
The military high command, however, urged the Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations to “enable the military conduct an inquiry in order to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the made allegations.”