Nigeria Army, Lawyers hold workshop on human right protection

By Blogger

The Nigerian Army and Lawyers under the aegis Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) had yesterday held a training workshop on prevention of human rights during conflict situation managed by the military.

The workshop, according to both the army and NBA was organized to help soldiers in the field become aware and understand the need to respect and protect human right during conflicts.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who delivered an opening remark during the one-day workshop tagged ‘Human Rights in Times of Conflict’ said since his assumption of office, investigations have always being carried out on any allegation or petition against any member of the Nigerian army, adding that, there is no safe heaven for violator of human rights in Nigerian army.

He said under his watch “there is not safe haven for violators of human right”.

President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh (SAN) had said that the workshop was designed to create awareness on the need to respect human rights in conflicts times and zones with particular attention on the north Eastern states where the Nigerian army and other security agencies engaged in quelling the Boko Haram insurgency.

The NBA chieftain said “the choice of Maiduguri as the venue of the workshop was instructive with the intention to take the message directly to the Nigerian army and all other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency in the north East.

“This workshop will as well enlighten and educate the audience on the legal and constitutional expectations in respect of the observance of human rights in times of conflict; the right of prisoners of war; the prosecution and trial of prisoners of war; the duties and the responsibilities of security agents as well as the duties and obligation of the civil populace.

Borno state Governor Kashima Shettima, who was represented at the event by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawal.

He expressed delight over the choice of the workshop venue even as he promised to ensure more support for the military to succeed in the ongoing counter insurgency operation.