Biafra: Army investigates extrajudicial killings in Aba

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai,

says the army has commenced investigations

into the alleged extrajudicial killings of unarmed

pro-Biafran protesters in Aba, Abia State.

Buratai said this on Thursday in Enugu.

About 10 members of the Indigenous People of

Biafra were reportedly killed when troops

opened fire on them during the agitation for the

release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in

February.

There were also reports that about 30 other

members of the group sustained serious injuries

during the incident.

The Amnesty International had condemned the

development, accusing the army of ‘excessive

use of force’ against the pro-Biafran activists.

Fielding questions from journalists on Thursday

after addressing officers and men of the 82

Division, in Enugu, Buratai said the army was

investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings.

“We are already investigating it. When such

incidents involve the loss of lives, we usually

conduct an investigation – that is our

procedure,” the army chief said.

Buratai, however, said he believed soldiers could

not have opened fire on the activists without

provocation.

He said, “We have our rules of engagement, the

troops cannot just open fire.”

Earlier, while addressing officers and men of

the military formation, Buratai said the army’s

rules of engagement permitted the use of force,

where other measures failed to address a

security challenge.

Instructing soldiers on the need to be

professional in the discharge of their duties,

Buratai said, “We have to ensure that we work

within the framework of our rules of

engagement.

“You know that the rules of engagement provide

for the protection of human rights, especially

the protection of innocent citizens.

“But in situations that entail the use of fire, the

protection of human rights does not apply.

“So, when you apply the rules of engagement

and it is necessary to open fire, human rights

will not apply.”

The COAS stressed that both the 1999

Constitution and the Armed Forces Act provided

for the use of force when necessary.

Buratai also told the soldiers to be ‘decisive’, in

order to prevent the breakdown of law and

order.

“You must apply the rules of engagement and

also be decisive – you have to be professional

in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he

said.

The army chief stressed the need for loyalty

and patriotism among soldiers.

“You must make the President proud because

he is behind us,” he added.

In the same vein, he urged the soldiers to protect

and assist the families of their colleagues who

were on military campaigns.