Army charges commanders on human rights

From Musa Umar Bologi
Ibadan

The Nigerian Army has charged its commanders to abide strictly by extant rules and employment of established rules of engagement during operations.
The order was contained in the communiqué signed by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj. Gen. Chris Jemitola at the just concluded Chief of Army annual conference in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The communiqué also stated that the Army would continue to conduct its operations within the context of the rule of law and international best practices, and would “strictly” apply the Official Secret Act of in the conduct of future operations.
It said it would also sustain investment in personnel management through continuous creation of responsibilities and providing direction, inspiration and vision to troops in order to confront and combat all “evolving internal and external security threats in order to guarantee the sovereignty of Nigeria.”
The communiqué read in part: “The Nigerian Army noted and reiterated the need for continuous self-assessment of its capabilities vis-à-vis ongoing operations with a view to optimizing existing capacities while strategizing for increased combat efficiency. Critical thinking by all officers was identified as a means necessary for projecting the Nigerian Army to greater heights. It also highlighted the need for collaboration with sister Services, paramilitary and other security agencies for robust security architecture capable of dealing with existing and emerging security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army identified the need to explore capacity building as a vibrant tool for efficiency in the conduct of its affairs in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision which is “to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”.

 

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