Security
CSO commends Buratai over improved human rights records in military
A Civil Society Organisations, Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative, GOPRI, has said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has set the pace in the Nigerian Army’s human rights records, saying cases of rights abuse which the Nigerian Army was commonly associated with have become history.
The CSO said, it was made possible through the establishment of the Nigerian Army Human Rights Desk by the army chief, saying posterity would ever remain grateful for what it described as “this uncommon feat” of the General Buratai.
The group, in a statement on Sunday, by its Executive Director, Amb. Melvin Ejeh, also praised the General Officer Commanding, GOC 3 Division, Major General Nuhu Angbazo, for strictly adhering to the vision of General Buratai in this regard, noting that the development has in no small measure, reduced incidences of rights abuse by men of the Nigerian Army in Plateau State.
Recalling with nostalgia how rampant cases of soldiers’ brutality on civilians were in the State, Amb. Ejeh expressed gratitude to both Buratai and Angbazo for the initiative, saying it has not only earned the people’s trust on the army, but also seen both men of the Nigerian Army and civilian populace relating and cohabiting without suspicion on any side.
Noting that sound human rights records would be one of the many legacies of Gen. Buratai, Amb. Ejeh insisted that contrary to what was known of the service in the past,”the Nigerian Army has tremendously improved on its human rights records.”
GOPRI said the Nigerian Army has been repositioned in eyes of objective Nigerians.
“We want to particularly praise the General Officer Commanding, GOC 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Nuhu Angbazo for his strict adherence to the COAS’ vision on human rights
“His implementation of the COAS’ vision in Plateau State and his General Area of Responsibility, AOR has again restored the people’s confidence and trust in the Nigerian Army.
“This has no doubt,really changed civil/ military relationships between the Nigerian Army under his watch and their civilian host. This is a sharp departure from what we used to see in the past,” he said in the statement.
According to him,”Reports from our civil society situation room on human rights from January till the end of second quarter of 2020 and response from various stakeholders during our ongoing Community Advocacy Programme have been favorable and quite commendable.”
He added:”This is the first time that a G.O.C will be going beyond mere lips service to uphold the culture of human rights.
“We are particularly pleased unlike before when we used to have cases of civilian brutality by soldiers of this division on a daily or weekly basis. But for close to two years now, there’s no single genuine issue of rights abuse by soldiers in our situation room.”
The rights activist also lauded General Angbazo for his sponsorship of a weekly human rights radio programme in Plateau State, saying it had raised the consciousness of the civilian populace on the activities of the Nigerian Army and educated them on how to seek redress in event of any breach of their fundamental rights by men of the service.
“This has greatly restored the lost confidence between civilians and men of the Nigeria Army,” he said,adding that:”It is on this premise that we wish to strongly commend the Chief of Army Staff on his vision on human and the G.O.C for perfectly implementing the COAS vision. ”
“We wish to call on others to find time to appraise our Army and rate them where they duly deserve instead of always sitting down to find faults from them without justification. They are humans and also need our support to succeed,” he further said.
He spoke further of Buratai’s initiative:”A significant and sensitive area in the institution of the Nigerian Army which has suffered desertion and absolute neglect for decades but for which Gen. Buratai’s purposeful leadership has initiated and brought to limelight is the crucial issue of observance of human rights.
“So, Gen. Buratai has envisaged that once in a while, some soldiers on national service or special assignments could breach professional etiquette or Rules of Engagement (ROE) by violating or abusing the human rights of civilians.
“Buratai with this initiative, has put a stop to the belief that the Nigerian Army permanently positioned itself to protect soldiers accused of human rights abuses.
“The COAS’s establishment of the Human Rights Desk is a practical and novel step designed consciously to improve Military/Civil relations, by allowing civilians who feel their human rights have been abused or unlawfully bruised by soldiers to lodge their complaints to the Army authorities through the Human Rights Desk.
“Observed cases have confirmed the operationality of the Army’s Human Rights Desk. It has functional phone numbers and officers permanently manning the desks 24 hours per day to receive complaints.
“Gen. Buratai by his action, has broken the jinx or public perception of Army Barracks as impenetrable fortresses for aggrieved civilians.
“Now, any civilian who alleges any wrongdoing on him by soldiers freely walks into any Army formation the accused soldier is domiciled to serve him court summons.
“The Army authorities release the accused soldier to appear in civilian courts with his lawyers to defend the charges levelled against him. This was impossible in the past! It is great innovation in recognizing the dignity and fundamental rights of Nigerians.”
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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