The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has called on the troops to ignore Amnesty International’s report and forge ahead with their onslaught against Boko Haram insurgents and bandits.
This is in a swift reaction to a Press Release by the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatimah Ben Souda on Friday 12 December, alleging that she has found a reasonable basis to believe that “members of the Nigerian security forces have committed acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes.
This was immediately followed by a release by the local branch of Amnesty International in Nigeria, demanding a full investigation of atrocities by Nigerian forces.
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A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, notes that the army chief said ,”There is no doubt that such statement and instigation can distract the Nigerian Army troops, with its demoralising effects.
It will have negative consequences on troops morale, interest in military service by Nigerians, and a severe setback to all internal security operations in the country.”
General Buratai, enjoins Nigerian Army troops to ignore the distractions and called on the gallant troops never to be worried or demoralised by the moves.
The statement adds that Lieutenant General Buratai who is currently in self-isolation as part of the caution against COVID-19, would soon be joining the troops in the North East at the end of the mandatory isolation period, to continue giving the desired leadership and support, to the gallant and patriotic troops of the Nigerian Army.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
