.Tasks Chief of Defence Staff to stop reprisals in southern region

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), yesterday, condemned the continued use of excessive force and extrajudicial measures by the Nigerian Army, particularly in the Southern region of the country.

Condemning the act, National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, demanded concrete actions, not mere words, from the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to ensure that the armed forces adhere to the principles of professional discipline and respect for human rights.

According to Onwubiko, they have witnessed a disturbing pattern in the Army’s response to attacks on its personnel in different parts of the country.

“While the Army has repeatedly engaged in violent reprisals and extrajudicial killings in the Southern regions, such actions are noticeably absent in the North, even when officers have been tragically killed by terrorists.

“This double standard is equal to apartheid. By the way, reprisals are unconstitutional and antithetical to the application of rules of engagement and are therefore unacceptable and must be rectified immediately,” he said.

He pointed out that for over two decades, since the inception of democracy in Nigeria, there has been a concerning lack of accountability for large-scale arson attacks on Southern communities, often in retaliation for attacks on soldiers by criminal elements.

This continued impunity, he said, has perpetuated a cycle of violence and suffering among innocent civilians who find themselves caught in the crossfire.

The rights group said it firmly believes that the Nigerian Army and all other armed forces must be subjected to the severest legal sanctions when they deviate from the principles of professional conduct and human rights.

According to the group, retaliation for heinous crimes, such as the killing of soldiers by terrorists, should never be an excuse for attacking innocent villagers, especially in the Southeast.

The group, therefore, called on the Chief of Defence Staff, to go beyond empty promises and take concrete steps to instill professional discipline throughout the armed forces.

“The time for action is now. The lives and well-being of innocent civilians depend on it. Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into all reported cases of extrajudicial killings and violence by the armed forces in the Southern regions.

“Ensure that those responsible for such violations of human rights face appropriate legal consequences, regardless of their rank or position.

“Implement comprehensive training and awareness programmes within the armed forces to reinforce the importance of adhering to rules of engagement and respecting human rights.

“Establish clear mechanisms for civilian oversight and accountability to prevent future abuses,” the group advised.