From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed the allegations made by Amnesty International, which claimed that over 10,000 civilians have died in Nigerian military detention facilities since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
In a statement issued to The Triumph over the weekend in Abuja, Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, stated, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to some baseless allegations made by Amnesty International during a press conference held on December 5, 2024.
“These allegations assert that, since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, over ten thousand civilians have died in Nigerian military detention facilities, among other unfounded claims.”
Major General Buba expressed that the Armed Forces found these statements to be shocking, groundless, and misleading, particularly as they came during the final stages of the counter-terrorism effort in the Northeast.
He emphasized that while the Armed Forces had no intention of engaging in a public dispute with Amnesty International, it was essential to correct the record.
He further noted that the Nigerian military is a professional force that conducts operations in accordance with international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.
Despite the challenging operational environment, troops have diligently adhered to the rules of engagement and made significant efforts to minimize civilian casualties.
The statement also clarified that when arrests are made, suspects are thoroughly profiled and then handed over to the relevant agencies for either release or prosecution.
To ensure accountability, court martials are held within the operational theaters to immediately address any misconduct by military personnel.
“In conclusion, it is important to reiterate that under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Armed Forces remains committed to professionalism and global best practices in executing its constitutional duties,” Major General Buba
He then invited Amnesty International to provide further details of the allegations, so the military could investigate their authenticity.