The federal government yesterday said it does not believe the report released by Amnesty International, accusing troops of extra judicial killings of over 600 persons in the North-eastern part of the country.
Amnesty International had earlier released video footage, images, and testimonies of war crimes allegedly committed by government forces and Islamist insurgents in the country’s northeast.
The gruesome evidence includes images of detainees whose throats were cut and their bodies “dumped in mass graves by men who appear to be members of the Nigerian military”
The coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, while briefing journalists at the centre, said that the federal government does not have cause to believe that details of the accusations have been properly verified.
“Although, we have great respect for Amnesty International, if such allegations are to be deemed credible, the sources of the claims and their possible political motivations should and ought to be examined and carefully considered.
“We want to assure that justice will be done once we have all facts, in the meantime, every soldier fighting this battle deserves our support and gratitude and not unverified accusations,” he said.
Omeri said while the government appreciates the contribution of persons and groups towards ending insurgency in the country, including those of recognised human rights organisations, it maintains a strict zero tolerance policy for violations of the rules of engagement.
According to him, the government has not and will never turn a blind eye to abuse of our people’s human or civil rights by anyone, including the military.
