DHQ Refutes Amnesty International Report, Reiterate Assurance To Humanitarian Law And professionalism

By Helen Udoh, Outlook Media ABUJA.

The Statement Reads In Part:

PRESS STATEMENT ON AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT LAUNCH AND PRESS CONFERENCE DATED 10 JUNE 2024

• The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to allegations labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) by Report of Amnesty International launched during a Press Conference in Abuja on 10
  June 2024. Accordingly, the AFN hereby makes it unequivocally clear that, it is a professional military force that operates within the ambit of International law of armed conflict. Additionally, the AFN adheres to humanitarian law and principles governing human rights.
• Furthermore, the AFN elects not to join words with organisations such as Amnesty International, rather would encourage them to approach the military high command to substantiate their allegations. The military has self regulating mechanisms with which it administers the military justice system to address any proven case of misconduct of personnel.
• It is worthy of note to state that, the AFN led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa OFR, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and any form of improper conduct during operations across the country. It is for this reason that, there are standing court martials to treat any form of misbehaviour by erring personnel, especially those that portray the military negatively to the general populace.
• Lastly, the AFN will remain focussed on its objective. We will be unperturbed by such self serving statements targeted at dampening the moral of troops in operational theatres. Rather, we will engage constructively with Amnesty International, where available. Overall, we will continue on the trajectory of conducting operations assiduously to defeat terrorism in our nation. Signed EDWARD BUBA
  Major General
  Director Defence Media Operations
  10 June 2024 (@24_dmo)