Following observations and wide consultations, the membership of the Nigerian Army Special Board of Inquiry to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses against some personnel of the Nigerian Army has been expanded with three additional persons.
The additional members are Col PC Izukanne (rtd), Mr Tony Ojukwu and Mr Olawale Fapohunda.
It will be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai on Wednesday inaugurated the Special Board of Inquiry, which is headed by a former Director of Military Intelligence, Major General AT Jibrin (rtd).
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The Special Board of Inquiry (BOI) followed Amnesty International claim of abuses against Boko Haram suspects, IPOB suspects as well as suspects of the Shiites Islamic Sect.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Board at the Army Headquarters, Buratai said the constitution of the Board is in line with the provision of Section 172 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
He noted that some persons and organizations have expressed concerns and alleged cases of misconduct and abuses by some army personnel, especially in the early days of the counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations.
His words, “Notably, the Amnesty International reports, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) other groups and individuals have made allegations of Human Rights violations of arrested Boko Haram Terrorists against some of our senior commanders”.
He said based on these allegations some senior officers are already suffering discriminations in some quarters.
He said the allegations range from extra-judicial executions, arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and enforced disappearance of suspected Boko Haram Terrorists.
He said, “These allegations are not good for civil-military relations and are capable of demoralizing Nigerian Army personnel in the performance of their constitutional roles”
The COAS added, “It is expedient to thoroughly and impartially investigate these allegations in order to find out the facts of the matter to enable relevant authorities take appropriate actions”.
Buratai tasked the Board to investigate the matter and establish the true situation of the whole allegations, noting that allegations that have been investigated by State Governments or the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should not be revisited.
He said the Board membership was carefully selected from both retired and serving personnel, including civilians to allow different perspectives in the investigation.
The President of the Board, Major General A.T Jibrin (rtd), promised that the Board would be unbiased and objective as it carries out the investigation.
Other members include: Brigadier General Dadan Garba (rtd), Brigadier General Abdulqadir Gumi (rtd), Brigadier General O.L Olayinka, Colonel L.B Mohammed, Colonel U.M Wambai, Olawole Fapohunda (NHRC) and Lieutenant Colonel C.M Akaliro (Secretary).
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