By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigeria Army, Gen. Marcus G. Kangye, says issues relating to human rights violations and abuses by troops during internal security and counter terrorism operations have significantly reduced to the minimum level within the Nigerian Army.
Gen. Kangye also added that the Department of Civil-Military Affairs and Relations of the NA has ‘ achieved enhanced civil-military cooperation, effective liaison, advocacy and mediation, as well as seminars and workshops with different strata of the Nigerian society and media.
He stated this in his welcome address at a one day media dialogue organized by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the Theater Command Officers Mess, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno state capital.
According to him, the event is being organized quarterly in line with the Nigerian Army’s drive towards keeping the Media informed of its Civil-Military Cooperation and Civil-Military Relations activities as a means of eliminating rumours as well as providing accurate and timely information in line with global standards.
He explained also that the Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs was established as a child of necessity in pursuant to the Nigerian Army Order of transmission, reproduction or retention of information on the Nigerian Army affairs and operations.
”The First Quarter 2023 Edition is unique and timely, as it precedes the commencement of General Elections 2023. Thus, this forum presents an avenue for the Department to engage with various communication experts for a better understanding with a view to charting a mutually benefitting relationship for improved media reportage as the Nigerian Army would be actively involved in the discharge of its constitutional mandate in support of Civil Authority before, during and after the General Elections 2023.
”The Nigerian Army personnel will continue to act professionally in accordance with the rules of engagement and code of conduct for Internal Security Operation and General Elections 2023. They are to remain apolitical always. This also reinforces the Chief of Army Staff’s Vision of having “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Mission within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.
‘;Therefore, I implore you all to feel free and utilize this unique opportunity to interact and clear any gray areas within the spectrum of our civil-military cooperation engagements as we collectively chart a new course for dealing with our common enemy.
”The Department also undertake field studies and assessments, human right sensitization, information and perception management as well as information support operations.
”It is worthy of mention that since the formation of the Civil-Military Legal Desk under the Department in February 2016, issues relating to human rights violations and abuses by troops during Internal Security and Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations have significantly reduced.
”It is pertinent to state that the Desk, which is a cell under this Department, receive and facilitate investigations of alleged human rights violations against Nigerian Army personnel and recommend appropriate sanctions.Thus, available statistics indicate that there has been a drastic reduction in litigation cases involving Nigerian Army personnel in recent times,” Marcus said.
He added that the Child of Civil-Military Affairs further said that this could be attributed to the constant Sensitization Workshops on Human Rights conducted across Nigerian Army Formations and Units, coupled with the impact of the Desk’s sanctions on offenders.
While the Department of Civil-Military Affairs also conduct social media seminars which serve as avenues for interaction with social media influencers and bloggers, human rights groups, civil society organizations, and online journalists amongst others.
He said it was with a view to address misconceptions and dispelling rumours about the Nigerian Army’s operational activities, along both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operation while ”in areas where the Nigerian Army is conducting military operations, a lot is also done by the provision of Quick Impact Projects in order to win the hearts and minds of the civil populace as well as supporting Government efforts.”
”Additionally, the Nigerian Army provides social safety nets to displaced persons in collaboration with willing agencies and corporate organisations. All these are done in order to ensure that insecurity in our dear country is addressed.
A resource person, Maj. Gen. Nuhu Bala Angwazo (rtd) while delivering his lecture paper titled: “the role of the media in enhancing Civil-Military cooperation in joint operations environment,”‘ said there was the need for the military to relate and work closely with the media by carrying them along on board in the course of their joint operations as media are stakeholders in nation building, national peace, security, stability and development.
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