An investigation has been launched by the federal government into the allegations of human rights abuses leveled against the Nigerian military by the Amnesty International.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bulus Lolo disclosed this in a statement issued by him in Abuja on Wednesday where he described the allegations leveled against the military as “serious”.
“Due to the magnitude of the allegations, the President Buhari-led government is looking into the report with a view to establishing the fact of the matter. “The government has, therefore, instituted an investigation and assures that there will be no cover-up,” he said.
Lolo further noted that the military, conscious of its constitutional mandate, had undertaken an ongoing investigation into the allegations of wrongdoing by its personnel, stressing that the military ensured the highest level of professionalism by its officers in the conduct of its operations in line with its training.
While stressing that the military had some powers following the State of Emergency imposed on the three states worse-hit by Boko Haram, the permanent secretary asserted that the internal and international operations undertaken by the Nigerian military has earned it a well-deserved respect.
He maintained that the state of emergency empowered the military to arrest, interrogate and detain any civilian actively involved in terrorist activities, adding that “In Nigeria, as in other regions where terrorists have unleashed their evil acts without a scintilla of respect for morality, extreme measures are sometimes required to contain extremism.
“It is a well-known fact that Boko Haram respects no laws at all, including sacred religious laws that the group claims to cherish.
“We find it nonetheless very worrisome that Amnesty International has yet to comment on the horrendous, mindless and ruinous activities of Boko Haram.” Lolo noted, however, that “indeed, the victims of Boko Haram’s despicable activities deserve justice and sympathy,” he stated.
Lolo, who stressed that the Federal Government is deeply concerned about the rights and the safety of all Nigerians, insisted that “it will ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
“In the meantime, the Government of Nigeria reaffirms its unflinching commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms.
“In this regard, Nigeria will continue to work and count on the support of its neighbours, as well as its international partners,” he stated.
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