The Nigerian Army has taken a step in addressing accusations of human rights violations by its troops with the inauguration of a team to monitor and report cases of abuses by security agents in the country.

The army is doing this in conjunction with the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA.

This was disclosed on Monday by the NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, at a workshop on human rights titled “Human rights in times of conflict” held in Maiduguri.

Alegeh said that the inauguration of the monitoring team was part of measures adopted by stakeholders to improve human rights protection and also to check human rights abuses in military operations in the country.

He said further that it was also part of measures taken to improve the image of the Armed Forces on matters of respect of human rights and abuses in times of war and conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency.

He said that Nigerians now have the opportunity of reporting cases of human rights abuses directly to the senior officers of the security agencies.

The NBA president also commended the professionalism of the army in the counter insurgency operations going on in parts of the North East.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant General, restated the army’s commitment to respect human rights in its operations.
The army chief said that his men and officers would always discharge their duties professionally in line with best practices and regulations, promising that no personnel would be involved in human rights abuses in the line of duty.

Buratai stated that the army took human rights violations by its men serious and that it had taken steps to prosecute those involved in abuses in any part of the country.

“Since I came on board there has been no place for human right violators in the army. The Nigeria Army is established by the constitution therefore, all aspects of human rights will continue to be respected as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the army chief stated.

Buratai called on all Nigerians to join hands with the security forces to fight the insurgency in the North east, noting that the war on terror is the collective responsibility of all citizens.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said that President Muhammadu Buhar is committed to supporting the army in achieving its professional objectives.

He said that the federal government would also support the military and the NBA in striking a balance between prosecuting the war on terror and ensuring that human rights remain protected.

The minister commended the Nigeria Army for the successes so far recorded in its fight against terrorism.