The Nigerian Army says it has commenced investigation into the recent killing of some pro-Biafra protesters in some parts of the south-east zone, especially Aba in Abia state, allegedly by its officers.
It stated that anybody found culpable would be decisively dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen during his maiden visit to the headquarters of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, said a situation where troops open fire for the sake of fun would not be tolerated, adding that the investigation would be thorough.
“We are already investigating. Such incidences, when they occur and result in loss of lives, we usually investigate, that’s our procedure and just as I told you, we have our own rules of engagement, definitely, troops cannot just open fire, just for the sake of fun, we are investigating the matter,” he said.
He urged his officers and men to always respect their rules of engagement which he observed had enormous regards for human rights, noting however that there is a limit to what the military can tolerate.
“Since my appointment, I gave out my vision statement which is to have a professionally responsible army in the discharge of of its constitutional roles. These visions are been pursued and the results are there in all the formations. When we say professionalism, we do our duties in professional manners as thought to us in various training institutions.
“In the areas of operation, your colleagues in North East are doing very well and also your internal security operations are very impressive, you must maintain the standard and ensure that we work within the framework of our rules of engagement. Our rules of engagement also provides for human rights protection, its basically on human right protection and indeed protection of every innocent citizen.
