Nigeria ministry of foreign affairs refused the report of Amnesty international indicting the Nigerian army
- The ministry described the report as one-sided and not condemning the terrorist activities in Nigeria
The ministry of foreign affairs has refused a report submitted by Amnesty International indicting the army in the extra judicial killings of pro-Biafra protesters and innocent civilians caught in Boko Haram terrorism whirlwind in the north.
The ministry in a statement issued by the spokesman of the ministry, Mr Clement Aduku in Abuja, described the Amnesty international report as one-sided and not condemning the terrorist actions in Nigeria, Vanguard reports.
Aduku said that Nigeria and the army's actions was law-abiding governed by democratic norms enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Ministry of foreign affairs disagrees with Amnesty reports indicting Nigeria army
He said: “The Federal Government does not, and will not condone, the brazen and needless display of lack of regard for constituted authority by any unlawful groups.
“Accordingly, no persons or group of persons will be allowed to destabilise the peace, stability and security, or jeopardise the unity and sovereign existence of Nigeria.
“No matter how highly placed and the level of external support such individuals or group of persons enjoy."
He said where terrorists had unleashed their dastardly acts, legal means and measures were usually deployed by affected countries to counter violent extremism.
He said that Nigeria should not be unduly pressured or pilloried for taking similar measures in defence of its national security. Aduku said that if the organisation did not deem it fit to report on the atrocities committed by violent groups, the government of Nigeria would ensure that the culprits were brought to book.
The ministry accused Amnesty International of not subjecting its report to wider consultations before releasing it.
“It is in this regard that the Ministry encourages it to endeavour to consult widely before releasing its future publications to ensure a more balanced, credible and unbiased reportage.
“The case of Mr El-Zakzaky is a high and sensitive national security issue. The activities of the IMN in general and El-Zakzaky Movement in particular, are reminiscent of Boko Haram.
“This had become a menace and a source of concern not only to Nigeria, but to the Lake Chad Basin region and the entire world."
The ministry also said that the agitation for Biafra by pro-Biafra protesters was unacceptable and harmful to the peace, unity, stability and development of the Nigerian.
He said Nigeria as a country remained committed to the freedom of expression and association, peaceful assembly and protest within the confines of the law.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Military on Wednesday, March 1, faulted the Amnesty International report which alleged mass abuse in the handling of the ongoing anti-terrorism war in the North-East.
Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, picked holes in the report while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri.
