The Defence Headquarters organized a human rights lecture for troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) to prevent any violations of civilians’ rights by troops and other personnel involved in the operation, on Thursday in Jos.
Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, emphasized the importance of such training in his opening remarks.
He highlighted that troops operating within the OPSH Joint Operations Area regularly receive training on human rights management from both military institutions and civil society organizations.
“These trainings are crucial as troops often engage with civilians during internal security operations.”
Major General Abubakar stressed the necessity for military personnel to operate within the confines of the law and with utmost respect for the rights of innocent civilians.
He urged participants to share the knowledge gained from the lecture with their colleagues to ensure it permeates throughout the ranks.
The lecture was conducted in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s commitment to enhancing the professional capabilities of military personnel involved in internal security operations, as outlined in the Training Directive issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja.
The guest speaker, Major AA Goni, highlighted the significance of protecting civilians, emphasizing that such protection should not be selective during conflicts.
He strongly condemned any unlawful killing of civilians, stating that no level of military operation intensity justifies such actions.
Barrister Lovina Abbah, a Human Rights Lawyer, delivered a lecture on Torture and Cruel Treatment, emphasizing that respecting human rights can build trust with the civilian population, thereby aiding military operations.
She emphasized that the use of torture to extract information from detainees is not permissible under the law and advocated for the use of forensic methods in investigations.
Air Commodore OO Akinsanya (Rtd), the team leader and Special Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on Human Rights, highlighted that the lecture aimed to enhance the operational effectiveness of military personnel operating in a joint environment.
