DHQ faults amnesty’s report on rights abuses

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described a recent report by Amnesty International (AI) as a gross disservice to the nation’s security command.

DHQ said the action of AI seemed geared towards “weakening the efforts of the Nigerian military at ensuring peace and security in the country.”

“The DHQ has observed that Amnesty International has made it a routine duty to continue generating tension among the citizens by releasing unconfirmed reports, unsubstantiated claims and figures relating to military counter-insurgency operations and wanton killings by unknown groups or persons,” it stated. 

AI had on February 22, 2018, accused the military of extra-judicial killings and human rights abuses. 

The Acting Director Defence Information, Brig. Gen. John Agim, said the Armed Forces, as a responsible institution financed by taxpayers, is bound to respond to the allegations and set the records straight.