A paramount ruler in Osun State, Oba Hameed Adekunle Makama, the Olowu of Kuta, in Ayedire Local Government has flayed International Criminal Court, ICC, and other international NGOs, saying they are being mischievous on the alleged human rights abuse by the military in the front lines.
He threatened that there might be a move to mobilise Nigerians from all communities against such international NGOs “if they fail to be objective in their report” adding that their activities in the country portrayed them as agents of colonialism.
Makama made the call at a world press conference he organised at his palace in Kuta, advocating for concerted efforts from all Nigerians to insulate the military against smear campaign and calumny.
He further implored Nigerians to rise against any primordial sentiment aimed at painting Nigeria army in bad light and further jeopardise their morale.
“Amnesty international and other NGOs in the North should desist from sabotaging our efforts in fighting insurgency. Anything that will degrade the integrity and image of our army will not be tolerated.
“I am of the humble opinion that the submission by Amnesty International to the ICC on the Nigeria Army is destabilizing, injurious and defamatory.
“To say the Nigeria Army is guilty of murder pursuant to article 8(2)(c)(i); torture, cruelty, outrageous upon personal dignity and internationally directing attacks against civilians just exposed how far away from reality the ICC is.
“I implore all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation or conviction to come together and resist this cheap blackmail against our Army.
“I consider it mischievous and malicious the timing of the release of the said report, and the usual double standard of Amnesty International in demoralizing our patriotic Army.
“The media should also play a patriotic role in the fight against insurgency. I urge the media to support Nigeria Army.
The monarch, however, lauded the initiative of Sheu of Bornu on the synergy between the military and local vigilante in the fight against insurgency.
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