A former theatre commander of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Major General Hassan Umar (rtd) on Wednesday said the Army by training is designed to rescue people in war situation rather than involve itself in allegations of gross Human Rights violation.
Speaking at the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter Insurgency Operation in the North East, which held in Abuja, General Umar said the report of Alleged Human Rights Violation by the Military During Counter Insurgency Operation published by Reuters is unfounded, saying as a professional institution the Nigerian army would not be involved in such heinous human rights violation.
The former General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, Jos noted that the allegations by Reuters is very touching, however exonerated the military from any infractions on human rights.
“Never a time did the Nigerian Army experienced what Reuters alleged” Umar said.
The former theatre commander, who told the panel that he held sway for only two and half months said that most often Boko Haram disappeared on sighting troops of the Nigerian Army.
It would be recalled that Reuters in December 2022 published allegations of gross Human Rights Violations against the Nigerian Army. The report alleged illegal and forced abortions by the Army, killing of children and Human Rights Violations against women.
Commenting on medical assistance to victims of insurgency, General Umar (rtd) observed that though the 7 Division Medical hospital was in place, the GOC was responsible for drafting medical of the 7 Division.
Similarly, Umar dissociated the Army when the panel alleged that they burnt down houses where human beings lived, reportedly administered poison and opened fire on children, the former theatre commander said “am not aware of these allegations, when we sit down with officers, we examine situation report and forward to headquarters” he said.
According to Umar “There was never a time of misbehaviour, honestly am surprised to hear all that have been said.
“Nothing of such happened, may be we have to ask Reuters”.
Umar noted that in theater operations, nothing is done isolation.
“The situation in the Nigerian Army is that you must take orders from your superior” Umar added.
