A report by Amnesty International (AI) recently alleged mass abuse in the handling of the on-going anti-terrorism war in the North-East, an allegation the Nigerian military has denied. An opening sampling captured by Daily Trust has been brought up by The DEFENDER.
Chris Obi, 34, Social Worker, Maitama, Abuja
Firstly, Amnesty International is a Non Governmental Organization so to that respect its duties and advocacy is centralized in every society so it’s a social advocacy, which makes it, involved in every human activity. They are limitless in terms of area of jurisdiction. Therefore, if there is human conflict crisis in our social structure, they will provide the presence of aid agencies, international conflict managers and amnesty which deals directly with human to human exchange in a given conflict as every conflict needs a watchdog.
Ogbonna Chinaza Iheke, 25, Youth Corper, Garki, Abuja
To the best of my knowledge, they shouldn’t meddle in the activities of the army. The reason being that the work the army is presently engaged in is a delicate one as the lives of Nigerian citizens are at risk and all forms or methods needed to preserve it should be applied. They can only interfere when there is a clear violation of the rights of humans after a clear and proper investigation has been carried out.
Muhammad Musa, 24, Entrepreneur, Gwarimpa, Abuja
I think the way that the army are taking this is wrong. They are trying to make Amnesty International sound like they are doing wrong when they are just doing their job which they are known globally for and using their power as they should. The army using the word ‘meddle’ just makes it sound like they are not being given the freedom to carry out their duties, which they are. I believe the involvement of AI can only improve the circumstances of the war being fought rather than saying they are hindering it in any way.
Simon Peter, 25, Hotel personnel, Kubwa, Abuja
What are the military doing? What are they tackling? What have they done? Amnesty International is doing what is right. Perhaps if they interfere, we will see things get better in states tackling insurgency. They have the power to bring an end to the violation of human rights that the military has been abusing. I believe they can only do good since that is what they are known globally for.
Iyke Ofegbo, 33, Businessman, Utako, Abuja
As long as the issue of Boko Haram is concerned, I don’t think what’s happening should be an issue. One fighting with Boko Haram has to be careful. If you don’t defend yourself, they will kill you. I don’t see anything wrong with the killing of a Boko Haram terrorist by a soldier as was alleged recently. They deserve to die. The soldier was on duty. Amnesty International has not done anything about the terrorists, so they shouldn’t accuse the military for doing their job.
Patience Yakubu, 33, Public servant, Area 1, Abuja
They shouldn’t be meddling because the safety of the Nigerian people lies in the hands of our security agencies and military. Does Amnesty International have proof that indeed there have been instances of injustice and human rights? If yes, they should hand it over to the government to do what they feel needs to be done. They may have a certain influence internationally but they can’t do what they like.
Usman Ahmed, 39, Trader, Utako, Abuja
It seems Amnesty International are biased. They criticise the Nigerian army always, but don’t commend them when they perform well. I have some level of knowledge of what the Nigerian army has done because I come from Maiduguri. Before this present government innocent people were being killed, but since this government came there has been a change. When I was in Maiduguri we used to feel that soldiers from the south were our enemies, but everything changed with the emergence of the civilian JTF. Amnesty International hasn’t appreciated the military so far.
