Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar Tuesday, lamented reports of alleged violations of human rights against the military, saying the development affecting Nigeria’s relations with allied countries.
The CAS made observation at the headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, during the 2019 Law of Armed Conflict Retreat for NAF legal officers.
According to Abubakar: “It is no longer news that several reports by Non-Governmental Organisations have alleged grave violations of international laws and human rights by the Nigerian military.
“Some people have gone to the ridiculous extent of accusing NAF fighter pilots flying at 300km per hour of selectively attacking farmers as targets while sparing herdsmen in Numan. Others have alleged that bombs were dropped in villages, killing civilians and burning thatched roofs of their homes but sparing mud structures of the houses.
“Unfortunately, these mostly unverified allegations have overtime portrayed the military in bad light and have, as well, impacted negatively on our fight against insurgency. While most of the allegations are untrue, they nevertheless caused mistrust between the military and civil populace, while also affecting relations between Nigeria and some of its allies.
“It is for this reason that we continue to reiterate the importance of adhering to LOAC during military operations. The aim of this retreat therefore is to provide the platform for interaction between participants and expert in the legal field with a view to equipping our legal officers and field commanders with a better understanding of LOAC.
“By virtue of Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (as amended), the military is tasked with the defence of Nigeria from external aggression, maintenance of its territorial integrity, provision of aid to civil authority and carrying out other functions as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. With this, the military has overtime participated in several internal security and peace support operations within and outside Nigeria.”
In his keynote address at the ceremony, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Mohammed, charged the military on the compelling need observe the rules of engagement and other laws of armed conflict during operations.
“For me, nothing is more important than acting within the ambit of the laws in whichever role you find yourself.
“The Nigerian Air Force and indeed the entire Armed Forces were established to serve and be accountable to the Nigerian people. Thus, one way to do this in the business of defence is to adhere to your Rules of Engagement in line with the laws as well as international best practices.
“As such our troops must adhere to the Laws of Armed Conflict during military operations. In view of this, I wish to commend the Chief of Air Staff for introducing and consistently organizing this Retreat since assuming office as the head of the Air Force”, the CJN noted .
Stella Enenche, Abuja
