DEFENCE
Army to Strengthen Military Justice System, ICC Operations
The Nigerian Army has taken steps to enhance the capacity of military legal officers to strengthen the military legal system and broaden their understanding of the operations of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said this at the opening of the Specialised Training of Nigerian Army Personnel on the Operations of the ICC on Tuesday in Abuja.
The training was organised by the Directorate of Legal Services (Army) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies,
It has the theme, “Understanding the Rome Statute and Operation of the ICC in Order to Enhance the Efficiency of Security Operations”.
Lagbaja, represented by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emeka, said the training was apt in an era where the Nigerian army was entrenched in military operations other than war.
He commended the Director Legal Services for initiating additional steps to meet contemporary expectations of the army and the larger Nigeria society.
According to him, the conduct of war and security operations is regulated by International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
“The Nigerian Army, as a responsible organisation, takes deliberate and systematic steps to ensure compliance with these rules, regulations, and laws in the conduct of its operations.
“Currently, the ombudsman for the enforcement of these rules is the ICC, which the Nigerian security forces have had and may still have occasions to interact with.
“It is thus of utmost necessity that Nigerian army personnel and personnel of sister services of the armed forces, as well as other relevant security agencies, ministries, and departments, acquire ample knowledge of the operations of the ICC to effectively guide our forces in the execution of their difficult duties,” he said.
The COAS commended the performance of all officers and soldiers on the recent successes in Nigerian military justice system as reflected in a recent General Court Martial sitting, which he added, had been applauded by many Nigerians.
He said the need to identify gaps in the nation’s force structure, training, and strategic approaches to military justice and operational readiness toward combating the challenges, was more imperative now than ever.
According to him, the diverse nature of the contemporary issues require unity of efforts and multi-agency involvement.
“We must, therefore, work towards cross-sectional synergy and the conceptualisation of ideas on the execution of our missions within a joint environment,” he added.
The Director, Legal Services, Maj.-Gen. Seidu Musa, said the workshop was aimed at having trained military personnel who are knowledgeable on the Rome Statute and the operation of the ICC.
Musa said the workshop was to enable knowledge based authoritative interface with the ICC in the course of performing their duties.
He said the ICC was established by the Rome Statute in 1998 and came into effect in 2002 while Nigerian became a party to the Rome Statute after ratification by the National Assembly.
He said the Office of the Prosecutor at ICC had in December 2020 announced the conclusion of its preliminary investigation of Nigerian situation.
According to him, the investigation concluded on the basis that there was sufficient reason to conclude that both Boko Haram and the Nigerian Security Forces (NSF) especially the Nigerian Army (NA) have committed war crimes.
“There is therefore the need for specialised training on its laws and procedures to make this knowledge preponderant.
“Such training will empower army officers and other trainees with the knowledge to interface authoritatively with the ICC and carry out other ancillary tasks from a position of enhance competence and skill based superior knowledge.
“Military Lawyers and Investigators from the army, navy, air force, other security agencies, relevant stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the academia are all present in this training,” he said.
Musa enjoined the participants to utilise the opportunity to enlarge their knowledge on the Rome Statute and the operation of the ICC.
In his remarks. The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Muhammad Ladan, said the institute believe strongly in national discourse on the question of whether ICC has any credible evidence against Nigeria or not.
Ladan said Nigeria should control the narrative on addressing security challenges, adding that the capacity building workshop was to enable them to see how they could control the narrative on the part of Nigerian military.
He said there has been interventions aimed at constantly reminding the military personnel that even in war situations there must be respect for the rule of law.
The rule of law, according to him, simply means to provide legal constraints and not impede you from carrying out your military operations.
“In the course of military operations there must be respect for rule of law because every war has its own objectives to be achieved.
“In the context of that, the legal constraints are provided such that we are required to simply comply with the minimum benchmark and still achieve our objective,” he said. (NAN)
In a bid to curb the escalating security situation, the Police Command in Benue, on Sunday ordered motorists and motorcyclists to stop covering their registration numbers plates.
The order was contained in a statement signed by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, in Makurdi.
According to Anene, covering vehicle number plates was an offence and would be met with the appropriate sanctions.
“The practice of covering number plate has become increasingly prevalent in the state, and this is posing a significant security threat to the state, as criminals can take advantage of this practice to perpetuate crime and get away with it.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of police (CP), Benue State Command, Hassan Yabanet, has ordered all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, to impound such vehicles for investigation and prosecution.
“Motorists are hereby advised to ensure that their vehicle registration number plates remain clearly visible at all times while driving within the state, to avoid any inconvenience that may be caused by the enforcement.
“Together, we can contribute to the promotion of public safety and the maintenance of law and order in Benue State.”the PPRO said in the statement. (NAN)
The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued the nine abducted students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Kogi State.
The army, in a post on its official X Handle on Sunday, said the troops in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes carried out a successful search and rescued the victims.
It said the troops encountered the scouts deployed by the kidnappers in the vicinity of the Osara Forests and nearby areas, resulting to a fierce fire fight.
According to the post, the superior fire power of the troops led to the kidnappers abandoning nine of the kidnapped students, who were subsequently rescued.
It said the troops had in a series of successful operations across the country, dealt substantial blows to terrorist groups and rescued several kidnap victims while a notorious militant surrendered.
The post also revealed that troops in the North West also rescued two persons abducted by terrorists in Danzara Village in Kanoma District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.
It said the troops demonstrated their rapid response capabilities, when they received a distress call on the abduction of the two locals by violent extremists.
According to the army, the terrorists, who had seized the victims in a red Golf car, were pursued by the troops but flee and abandon the hostages without harm in the cause of the confrontation with troops.
In Katsina State, the post revealed that the proactive efforts of the troops led to the rescue of 17 abducted victims in the Solar General Area of Batsari Local Government Area.
It said the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, compelling them to abandon the kidnap victims, who were later safely returned to the care of Batsari Local Government officials.
“In Borno, a notable incident occurred when Alhaji Wosai, identified as a notorious member of the Boko Haram Terrorists operating within the Garno Village, in Dikwa Local Government Area, voluntarily surrendered to troops.
“Wosai handed over his AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing two rounds of ammunition.
“These operations, highlight the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Army troops in combating terrorism and underscore their commitment to the safety and security of all citizens.
“Troops’ resolve in addressing the threat posed by terrorists and kidnappers remains unwavering, as they continue to work towards restoring peace and stability in the affected regions,” it said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Gombe: Army Assesses Barracks Infrastructure, Restates Commitment to Troops, Veterans’ Welfare
A team from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Department of Army Administration, on Wednesday visited the 301 Artillery Regiment (GS) in Gombe, to assess the state of barracks infrastructure in the state.
This is contained in a press statement issued in Gombe by Capt. Mazinho Attah, the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support).
Attah said that the Acting Deputy Chief of Administration (Army) Veterans Affairs Department (VAD), Brig .
Gen Umaru Alkali, led the team to the state.Attah quoted Alkali to have said that the visit was directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, and aimed at improving facilities and enhancing the welfare of veterans and serving personnel.
“The visit is to address current conditions of legions, Nigerian Army cemeteries as well as command schools and hospitals,” he said.
He further highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian Army leadership to ensure that troops and family welfare of serving and retired personnel remained top priority of the service.
While receiving the team, the Commander 301 Artillery Regiment, Colonel Musa Ahmed, briefed the team on the current conditions of facilities in Gombe State.
Ahmed noted the significance of completing ongoing projects at the new barracks and making it befitting for the regiment.
He further said that the assessment visit was crucial to boosting the morale of troops as well as impact positively on their living conditions.(NAN)
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