The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai,
says the army has commenced investigations
into the alleged extrajudicial killings of unarmed
pro-Biafran protesters in Aba, Abia State.
Buratai said this on Thursday in Enugu.
About 10 members of the Indigenous People of
Biafra were reportedly killed when troops
opened fire on them during the agitation for the
release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in
February.
There were also reports that about 30 other
members of the group sustained serious injuries
during the incident.
The Amnesty International had condemned the
development, accusing the army of ‘excessive
use of force’ against the pro-Biafran activists.
Fielding questions from journalists on Thursday
after addressing officers and men of the 82
Division, in Enugu, Buratai said the army was
investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings.
“We are already investigating it. When such
incidents involve the loss of lives, we usually
conduct an investigation – that is our
procedure,” the army chief said.
Buratai, however, said he believed soldiers could
not have opened fire on the activists without
provocation.
He said, “We have our rules of engagement, the
troops cannot just open fire.”
Earlier, while addressing officers and men of
the military formation, Buratai said the army’s
rules of engagement permitted the use of force,
where other measures failed to address a
security challenge.
Instructing soldiers on the need to be
professional in the discharge of their duties,
Buratai said, “We have to ensure that we work
within the framework of our rules of
engagement.
“You know that the rules of engagement provide
for the protection of human rights, especially
the protection of innocent citizens.
“But in situations that entail the use of fire, the
protection of human rights does not apply.
“So, when you apply the rules of engagement
and it is necessary to open fire, human rights
will not apply.”
The COAS stressed that both the 1999
Constitution and the Armed Forces Act provided
for the use of force when necessary.
Buratai also told the soldiers to be ‘decisive’, in
order to prevent the breakdown of law and
order.
“You must apply the rules of engagement and
also be decisive – you have to be professional
in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he
said.
The army chief stressed the need for loyalty
and patriotism among soldiers.
“You must make the President proud because
he is behind us,” he added.
In the same vein, he urged the soldiers to protect
and assist the families of their colleagues who
were on military campaigns.
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