Igboho: HURIWA tackles critics of Buratai for his role in agitator’s arrest in Benin

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Monday, lashed at those mounting campaign of calumny against the former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) over his role in that led to the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho.

The Yoruba seccessionist is currently battling with extradition suit in Benin Court with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

But in a statement issued by the Executive Director of HURIWA, Mr. Emmanuel Onwubiko and made available to Journalists, he stated that it was unnecessary, the media campaign of hate against Buratai, stating that he was merely doing his work as an ambassador.

HURIWA in a statement titled, “series of media onslaught against Buratai for allegedly facilitating the arrest and pushing for the extradition of Mr. Igboho”, Onwubiko knocked those dragging the good name of the former Army Chief in the mud.

According to him, it’s the responsibility of the diplomatic missions to provide public services for their nationals, including acting as a notary public, providing electoral registration, issuing passports and papers for military conscription, referring injured or sick nationals to local physicians and lawyers, and ensuring non-discriminatory treatment for those charged with or imprisoned for crimes.

“Buratai had no other option, as an Ambassador or High Commissioner as the case may be as an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.”

“Ambassadors have a wide range of responsibilities dealing with foreign relations.

“Each task is carried out in a diplomatic manner that is made to meet the needs of the ambassador’s home country while keeping a positive relationship with that country. Because of their unique relationship with the host nation, ambassadors are able to help in the development of the foreign policy with that nation. All of these actions are meant to protect their home country’s interests within the host nation.

HURIWA condemned the killing of Igboho’s associates when his residence was invaded by security operatives, while they asked the FG to leave him alone.

“We do not understand what anyone wants General Buratai to have done when someone who has been declared wanted by the government he is serving crosses into the jurisdiction he is serving. We, therefore, call on those orchestrating these campaigns of calumny against Lieutenant General Buratai (retd) to stop distracting him and allow him perform his diplomatic duties as designated.

“General Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff between July 2015 and January 2021, was deployed as Nigeria’s envoy in the Benin Republic in June 2021 to expand the frontiers of Nigeria-Benin Republic and to advance the interest of Nigeria in his host country.”