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Military Not Riding Roughshod’ on Civilians”, DHQ Defends DIScos Incident
By Kabir Abdulsalam
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reacted to allegations of military impunity, stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights.
According to the DHQ, “the military has continued to ride roughshod on civilians and private enterprises” is a misleading narrative.
The DHQ emphasized that isolated incidents should not be used to generalize the behaviour of the entire military.
The DHQ also took issue with an editorial that attempted to vilify the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Service Chiefs, saying it was “economical with the truth.” The military noted that the editorial failed to adhere to basic journalistic principles, such as fact-checking and balance.
The DHQ pointed out that the incidents reported were isolated and occurred in Lagos, and that it was unfair to paint a picture of widespread military impunity across the nation.
The military also emphasized that it has internal mechanisms in place to investigate and discipline erring personnel, including military police, Intelligence Corps, and Court Marshals.
A statement by Brigadier General, Tukur Gusau, the Director Defence Information noted that, “We have military police and Intelligence Corps, saddled with the task of thorough investigation and disciplining erring military personnel… The AFN under the able leadership of General Christopher Musa will continue to remain focused, committed, and submissive to the tenet of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The DHQ urged the media to fact-check and balance their reports, rather than relying on personal opinions.
The military reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and upholding human rights.
