The Nigerian Army has restated its commitment to safeguarding human rights and improving its compliance with international best practices across all military operations.
This pledge was made by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), Major General Gold Chibuisi, during the 5th Edition of the Nigerian Army Human Rights Seminar, held on Friday in Enugu.
The event was themed: “Human Rights and Operational Effectiveness: Establishing the Nexus.”
Maj.-Gen. Chibuisi emphasized that the Army had taken significant steps to prioritize human rights, including establishing functional human rights desks across all formations to handle complaints and promote accountability.
“The Nigerian Army is constantly reviewing all its operations to ensure that it complies with human rights and best international practices,” he said.
“We have continued to court martial and deal decisively through punishment personnel that infringe on human rights of the civil populace and ensure that justice is rightly served.”
He also noted the Army’s ongoing investment in training and retraining personnel on human rights principles, particularly those relevant to field operations.
Chibuisi expressed optimism that the seminar would strengthen civil-military relations and enhance the Army’s image:
“I am optimistic that this gathering will help to promote human rights, create better understanding between the civil populace and the army, and ensure that the Nigerian Army wins the war and hearts of Nigerians in every ramification.”
He also thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his approval and support in organizing the seminar and other civil-military programmes.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Chukwuma Odo, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Enugu Branch, praised the Army for hosting such a “thought-provoking” seminar and acknowledged the strides being made toward accountability.
“As NBA, we will continue to support the Nigerian Army and ensure that Nigerians, especially law-abiding citizens, are treated with the dignity, respect, and civility they deserve,” Odo said.
Declaring the seminar open, Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, represented by Justice Anthony Onovo, urged the Army to carefully balance operational success with protection of human rights.
“By observing human rights, the Nigerian Army will ensure that everyone is treated with decorum and fairness,” he noted.
Justice Ozoemena emphasized that the key to achieving this balance lies in transparency, accountability, and a strong moral commitment to doing what is right.
“I must commend the participants of this seminar and appreciate the Nigerian Army in its commitment to follow the right path to ensure that our society is a secured and better place,” he added.
