TheCable

The Nigerian army has described the report by Amnesty International alleging that security operatives killed some pro-Biafran agitators in the south-east as “yet another in its series of spurious fabrication” aimed at tarnishing its image.

In a report on Wednesday, Amnesty International, said at least 150 protesters have been killed by security operatives and many others held incommunicado.

“In south-east Nigeria, security forces led by the military, embarked on a chilling campaign of arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial executions and enforced disappearances,” the report read.

“Many individuals are still being detained incommunicado while state security agents have killed at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters.”

But reacting to the group’s claim, the army in a statement said the report “is rather contrived lies orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian armed forces which they have unsuccessfully tried to do in the past.”

“The report recently published by the Amnesty International (AI) alleging death of 240 people including babies in Borno and 177 pro Biafran agitators, is yet another in its series of spurious fabrication aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military,” the statement read.

“It is on record that Amnesty International embarked on such series of false allegations against the Nigerian military and other security forces as far back as the inception of the military action against terrorists in the north-east.

“Amnesty International would only encourage activities of non-state actors who take up arms against the state, killing, maiming and destroying public property but would always accuse security forces who are sacrificing everything to restore peace and normalcy.

“In as much as the Nigerian military acknowledges  and respects  the views and constructive criticism of individuals, groups or even international organisations including Amnesty International, it will not fall for nor accept the deliberate falsehood that have no bearing with the fact or reality on ground.”

The army said it had always opened it operations to the public and the defence headquarters ran an open door policy on the activities in the north-east or elsewhere.

“[The army] is ever ready to provide clarification on any issue. On a number of times the National Human Rights Commission had sent its delegation to seek clarification on issues they are not comfortable with, and in each occasion, the DHQ always oblige them with the information they sought,” it read.

“AI would rather contrive their report to suit their intention which is to cast slur on the image and integrity of the Nigerian military. It smacks of mischief for the AI to insist on publishing unverified and unsubstantiated report as it is only them that knows why it embark on such dishonourable venture over a period of time.

“The Nigerian military rejects this AI reports in its entirety and appeals to all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the report and discountenance its contents as they were meant to paint Nigeria in bad light.”