The Nigerian Army has said it has commenced investigation into a video which has gone viral, showing some soldiers torturing and eventually killing a suspected Boko Haram member.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a video reportedly showing some NA personnel engaged in unprofessional torture and above all extra judicial killing of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist likely in the North-East Theatre of Operation.
“The NA wishes to clearly and strongly condemn the action of those involved (whoever they may be) in the misconduct, and that the dastardly act is completely unacceptable, unethical and is against the cherished core values of the NA especially that of respect for others and their fundamental rights.”
Col. Musa, in the statement, explained that the Nigerian Army training, Rules of Engagement and Standing Operating Procedures guiding the conduct of all her operations, were unambiguous about human rights abuses and extra-judicial actions, including the rights of the arrested or captured terrorists and combatants.
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He further explained that troops in the various theaters of operations in Nigeria, had been consistently warned to desist from rights infractions of any form no matter the amount of desperation, anger or provocation.
He also stated that the Army did not licence, encourage or condone indiscipline, unprofessional conduct especially extra judicial execution of suspects or combatants, adding that wherever such was noticed or reported, once confirmed, appropriate decisive sanction or punishment would be immediately meted out to the perpetrators and this case would never be an exception.
“Accordingly, on seeing the gory video, NA has commenced thorough investigation to apprehend the culprits with the aim to deal with them in accordance with the extant military justice system. Members of the public will surely be informed of the results of the actions taken so far.
“The NA, as a responsible and law abiding organisation, will remain professional in the discharge of its constitutional roles and will continue to operate within the ambit of the law in line with the local and international best practices,” the statement added.
