MAIDUGURI – “Nobody loves Nigeria more than we do”. These were the words of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, as he slammed the activities of Amnesty International, UNICEF and other Non Governmental Organisations that are inimical to the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
Buratai said the recent report by Amnesty International accusing the Nigerian Army of human rights abuses was not only unfounded but also unfortunate.
The Army Chief spoke on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno state, during interaction/dinner with senior editors and attended by key officers of Operation Lafiya Dole.
According to him, it is “preposterous for Non-Governmental Organizations such as Amnesty International to consistently be undermining our reputation and demoralizing our troops through consistent and unfounded allegations of human rights abuses.
“There is no doubt the organization cannot do what it is doing in Nigeria in many other sovereign countries.
“There are several instances of unprofessional and negative conducts of Amnesty International members of staff in Nigeria such as collaboration with Islamic Movement in Nigeria.”
Buratai however assured that “under my leadership, the Nigerian Army would continue to be professional and apolitical.
“Therefore, the Nigerian Army I command will not allow itself to be dragged into politics of any kind,” urging the media to always be conscious of national interest as they discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
“The essence of this event is also about opening a new, bigger page with you, the media in Nigeria.
“While we fight with guns to protect the society, you fight with your pens to do the same,” the Army Chief noted.
