Amnesty International has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands to investigate some former and serving Nigerian service chiefs for war crimes.
The crimes, according to the global civil rights organisation, were perpetrated during the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East between March 2011 and 2014.
It said in a comprehensive report, entitled, “Stars on their shoulders, blood on their hands: War crimes committed by the Nigerian military,” that no fewer than 8,000 persons were “murdered, starved, suffocated and tortured to death “in the North-East during the period.
Amnesty International added in the report which was presented in Abuja on Wednesday by its African Director (Research and Advocacy), Netsanet Belay, and Senior Director of Reseach,Anna Neistat, that it had “compelling evidence” for the investigation of the former and serving service chiefs as well as “mid-level and senior-level military commanders.”
The rights group outlined the roles and possible criminal responsibilities of those along the chain of command – up to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff.
It therefore listed a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; former Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Kenneth Minimah, among the nine senior military figures that should be investigated for their command and individual roles in the commission of the crimes.
The others are Maj. Gen. John Ewansiha, Maj. Gen.Obida Ethnan, Maj.Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed, Brig.-Gen. Austin Edokpayi and Brig. Gen. Rufus Bamigboye.
The AI report revealed that since March 2011, more than 7,000 young men and boys died in military detention while no fewer than 1,200 people were unlawfully killed in February 2012.
It said, “We call on President Buhari to end the culture of impunity that has blighted Nigeria ,and for the African Union and international community to encourage and support these efforts. As a matter of urgency, the President must launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the crimes detailed in the report and hold all those responsible to account, no matter their rank or position. Only then can there be justice for the dead and their relatives.
Punch reportage but rewritten here
So they are still on this man's case.
ReplyDeleteIs it to start probing people?is the change only about probe? We still waiting for the change coz I don't see any signs yet seems to me like continuity.
DeleteLet bygone be bygone .
DeleteWar since how many years?
*udo gba koikoi *
Ok. Have nothing to say abt this.
ReplyDeleteThey should do thorough investigation so that innocent military will not suffer unjustly.
ReplyDeleteNoted
ReplyDeleteokay
ReplyDelete#GODWIN™
Hope they are found guilty
ReplyDeleteThey shld be investigated and let the law take it course on those found guilty.
ReplyDeleteDo they have witness on this case
ReplyDeleteNa them sabi!
ReplyDeleteNawa o. Such brutality if it's true should be dealt with severely.
ReplyDeleteReally? and why hasn't Amnesty international, probed Yakubu Gowon and Ibb for the "GENOCIDE" committed against the igbos from 67-70?? abeg they should park well jare, all na eyeservice...
ReplyDeleteDid they send igbo's the wahala they went to look for up and down?
DeleteThey should go ahead,i support!!!
ReplyDeleteSeen!
ReplyDeleteThey are crazy and bokoharam sponsors
ReplyDeleteWaiting to hear from President Buhari.
ReplyDeletea.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said..
ReplyDelete.
I pray something happen though....
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
I dnt envy buhari's job @all, call 4 dis, call 4 dat. God shud grant him d wisdom of solomon, amen
ReplyDeleteStupidity and wickedness is when you invade Iraq, Syria etcetera and destabilise a region and come out to blame Nigeian military for the killing of 7000 Boko haram members. Meanwhile Boko haram have killed several children in their sleep in school, kidnapped girls and women, beheaded people. Amnesty international is rubbish.
ReplyDeleteAmnesty international with their one sided justice. We know our military did bad job the past years. If you prosecute the military guys, what happen to Boko Haram members? Boko committed more crime to the civilians than the military. Amnesty call for military prosecution is still early because the war is still on going and i believe report is one sided.
ReplyDeleteI think the organisation should have used their office to call for the arrest and prosecution of Boko haram sponsors and leaders first before military officers. Our military men need to be investigated but Boko haram should be prosecuted more than Nigeria military.
They should be investigated and if found guilty dealt with
ReplyDeleteAbeg make this people go sleep
ReplyDelete