News
Amnesty International Must Leave Nigeria Now – Army
By Kola Bola
The Nigerian Army has stated that it has come to a dead end and has no choice, due to the activities of the Amnesty International (AI) in the country which often undermine the anti-Boko Haram onslaughts of the military, than to send the global pro-peaceful coexistence group out of the country.
The Nigerian Army, among other sundry allegations, stated that the AI is found wanting over collusions with some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to stage protests and make remarks capable of undermining the anti-terror crusade of the nation’s military.
The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement on Monday that the organisation’s attempt to destabilise the nation was noted through fabrication of fictitious allegations of alleged human rights abuses against the Nigerian security forces.
“The Nigerian Army has no option than to call for the closure of Amnesty International offices in Nigeria, if such recklessness continues.”
Usman said the Nigerian branch of AI that has hitherto been well respected has deviated from the core values, principles and objectives of the original parent body in the United Kingdom.
“They have tried over the years using Boko Haram terrorists’ conflicts, Islamic Movement in Nigeria, some activists and now herders-farmers conflicts.
“The NGO is at the verge of releasing yet another concocted report against the military, ostensibly against the Nigerian Army.
“Consequently, Nigerians should be wary of Amnesty International (Nigeria) because its goals are to destabilise Nigeria and to dismember it.
The Nigerian Army has called for the closure of the Amnesty International offices in Nigeria, alleging there is credible evidence the organisation is working hard to destabilise the country.
Usman also alleged the AI had engaged in clandestine sponsorship of dissident groups to protest, as well as unfounded allegations against the leadership of the Nigerian military.
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Enough is Enough, and BudgIT) have recently called for the probing of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) over the funding of the war against terrorism and other crimes in the country.
The CSOs alleged the army had not made commensurate achievement in the fight in line with the huge fund the federal government allocated to the fight.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had however explained that some of the allocated funds have yet to be cash-backed and that it had not reached the army.
It was not the first time the Nigerian Army and Amnesty International would have some misunderstanding over the latter’s various reports on human rights in the country.
El-Rufai said his life started having a meaning when he married Hadiza about 40 years ago.
In his birthday wish to Hadiza, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, chieftain described his wife as a bundle of beauty and brain.
Posting on his Facebook page, El-Rufai recalled meeting Hadiza during his university days.
He described her as the best wife, mother, and grandmother.
He wrote: “Please join me and members of the El-Rufai Family to wish my best friend, university classmate, teenage sweetheart and dearest wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai a very happy birthday.
“Hadiza is a bundle of brains, beauty and brawn, holder of three masters’ degrees – in architecture, business administration, and creative writing – fluent in French and a published novelist.
“My life began to have meaning when we married nearly 40 years ago.
“She is a taskmaster and disciplined organizer of our home and our lives.
“Happy birthday, Hadiza and God Bless you forever more. – Nasir @elrufai”
The victims were said to be travelling from Zaria in Kaduna State for a wedding in Quan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State when they were intercepted by the mob at Mangun district.
The travelers were killed instantly, while several others sustained various degrees of injuries during the attack.
Expressing shock and sadness over such an act of savagery, Governor Sani, in a statement, called on security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute those behind the attack.
He vowed that the Kaduna State Government would not leave a stone unturned until the criminals were hunted down and brought to justice.
The governor said, “We must put a stop to the nefarious activities of non-state actors. There is no justification for anybody to attack any citizen of Nigeria in any part of the country. This madness must stop. Enough is enough”.
Governor Sani, therefore, appealed to his Plateau State counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang, to use the unfortunate incident to make a bold statement by taking full charge of the situation and directing the operations of security agencies until the murderers are brought to justice.
The governor promised to personally follow up on the progress made in the investigations and field operations in search of the criminals to send a clear signal that impunity will no longer be tolerated.
He, however, called on the citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm, stating that all hands are on deck to ensure that the victims get justice.
Sani also consoled the families of the victims over the loss of their loved ones.
He said, “We have made remarkable progress in peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Kaduna State. The Kaduna Peace Model is a pointer to the fact that with political will, commitment, and sincerity of purpose, a toxic environment can be turned into an ‘oasis of peace’.
“The situation in Plateau State is not irredeemable. The bloodshed must stop. Our deepest condolences to the families of our citizens who lost their precious lives in Mangu Local Government. I am in touch with the families of the victims. We shall do all in our power to lessen their pains. We shall also ensure that the injured victims receive adequate medical attention. May the gentle souls of our departed citizens rest in perfect peace”.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, Akume visited the Tor Tiv James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, John Elaigwu Odogbo, at their palaces in Makurdi and Otukpo, respectively.
The consultations, aimed at fine-tuning modalities for the speedy implementation of the president’s directive, which followed his condolence and solidarity visit to the state on Wednesday in the wake of a deadly attack in Yelewata that reportedly claimed over 200 lives.
Senator Akume informed both traditional rulers of their inclusion on the Peace Committee as mandated by President Tinubu.
He emphasised the need for swift consensus-building toward an inclusive and effective committee capable of restoring peace and stability to the troubled region.
According to him, the President is gravely concerned about the impact of continued violence on Benue’s status as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse and a critical driver of national food security.
The SGF expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for their roles in warmly receiving the president during his recent visit and urged them to ensure the traditional institution remains active in securing local communities.
Both the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma commended the Federal Government’s intervention and pledged their full commitment to the peace-building process. The SGF was accompanied on the visits by several prominent Benue figures.
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