Operate within the law, Acting CJN admonishes military | Nairalaw

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed on
Monday said the military remains a critical institution for the
success of any democratic government.

He stated Nigeria would continue to appreciate its military for
the sacrifices it made to keep the country united.

Delivering a keynote address at the Nigerian Air Force
Headquarters, Abuja, during the opening of the 2019 Edition of the
Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) Retreat for NAF Officers, Justice
Mohammed said the military deserves public support for its efforts
in supporting democratic institutions during elections and for
maintaining peace and order during internal operations.

He however cautioned that it was imperative for the military to
operate within the ambit of the law while going about its kinetic
and non-kinetic operations to avoid criticism within and outside
the country.

Mohammed, who lauded the NAF for supporting INEC to airlift its
personnel and electoral materials across the country during the
2019 general elections, noted that such efforts as well as NAF
medical outreaches and provision of succour to flood victims cannot
go unappreciated.

According to him: “More recently your role in moving logistics
and electoral personnel did not also go unnoticed. Such Support no
doubt increases public support which is key to the success of
ongoing counter insurgency operations all over the country.

“I want to reiterate that considering the asymmetric nature of
the type of war we now engage in, the military cannot function
without public support.

“If we juxtapose this with the increasing focus and criticism of
military operations at both local and international levels, the
needs to act within the laws during military operations therefore
become undeniably imperative.”

Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
dismissed as untrue insinuations NAF fighter Pilots dropped bombs
selectively during its air operations thereby commiting infractions
against citizens and violating their rights.

Air Marshal Abubakar said the retreat was organised to bring
stakeholders together in a way that they would interact with NAF
Legal Officers, and fighter pilots to enhance their operations for
better delivery of service.

The CAS said: ” The NAF relies on our Legal Services Directorate
in navigating the legal waters which sometimes become turbulent as
a consequence of the strict requirements for the military to adhere
to LOAC.

“It is no longer news that several reports by Non-Governmental
Organisations have alleged grave violations of international laws
and human rights by the Nigerian military.

“Some people have gone to the ridiculous extent of accusing NAF
fighter pilots flying at 300km per hour of selectively attacking
farmers as targets while sparing herdsmen in Numan.

“Others have alleged that bombs were dropped in villages,
killing civilians and burning thatched roofs of their homes but
sparing mud structures of the houses.

“Unfortunately, these mostly unverified allegations have
overtime portrayed the military in bad light and have, as well,
impacted negatively on our fight against insurgency.

“While most of the allegations are untrue, they nevertheless
caused mistrust between the military and civil populace, while also
affecting relations between Nigeria and some of its allies.

“It is for this reason that we continue to reiterate the
importance of adhering to LOAC during military operations.”

Gov Abubakar of Bauchi Congratulates PDP Governor-Elect
Sen Bala Mohammed

Gov Abubakar wishes to congratulate Governor-elect of Bauchi
state Senator Bala Mohammed.

“i congratulate my brother, Sen Bala on this victory at the
polls.

“I am delighted to note that in-spite of the intensity of the
campaigns in our dear state, a peaceful election took place without
bloodshed.

“Let me therefore invite the Governor-elect to join me in
working out the process of a smooth transition.

“I sincerely thank the entire people of Bauchi state for their
support to my administration and urge them to extend the same to
the incoming administration.

“I also urge governor-elect to caution his supporters to be law
abiding while celebrating since the period of campaigns is now
over.

Ali M. Ali
Special Adviser
Media and Strategy
To MA Abubakar