Military has improved rule of law in operations, says CJN

•B’Haram killed 2, 300 teachers since 2009, UN reveals
•Atiku offers scholarships to children of slain soldiers

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, yesterday said the military has improved its adherence to rule of law in its operations.He disclosed this in Abuja at the 2018 Nigerian Army Law seminar, with the theme: “The Place of Law in Counter Terrorism & Counter Insurgency Operations in Nigeria.”

This, he, said was in line with global best practices, even though the military justice system, which is basically rooted on regimentation, has been condemned by human rights activists in the past.Represented by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court, he disclosed that the topic was apt, bearing in mind, the need for members of the armed forces to obey the rule of law in their operations.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in his address, said the fight against terrorism and insurgency, especially in the northeast has preoccupied the minds of many Nigerians within and outside Nigeria. Buratai added that the army has addressed different kinds of claims against it.

The administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Rosaline Bozimo said the collaboration became necessary for interaction, exchange of ideas and better understanding of military law, rule of law and due process.Chief of Policy and Plans at Army headquarters, Maj. Gen. Rasheed Yusuf, represented the Chief of Defence Staff, while Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Training and Operations, Defence headquarters, represented Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) yesterday revealed that Boko Haram has killed 2,300 teachers in Nigeria’s northeast since the start of the insurgency in 2009.

The UN agency also disclosed that 19,000 teachers have been displaced in the region, affecting access to education.This was stated in the 2018 UNESCO global education monitoring report (GEM).

In a related development, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has offered to sponsor some children of soldiers killed by the Boko Haram terrorists.

In a statement, he said the recent attack that led to loss of lives of officers and men of the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State was a national disaster.According to Atiku: “These men and women gave their best and we must reciprocate their sacrificial giving.

Therefore, instead of celebrating my birthday this year, which is coming up in a few days, I choose to rather celebrate our fallen heroes.

“As such, I hereby declare an endowment to provide full financial scholarships to five children of our fallen heroes from the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele up to whatever level they are able and willing to reach at the American University of Nigeria, Yola.“They deserve the support and confidence of all Nigerians. We sleep well at night in our beds, because they stay awake uncomfortably in the fields.”He urged those wishing to send him birthday gifts to “donate their gifts and money to the widows and orphans of our fallen military heroes.”