The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the Nigerian Army would conduct an investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killing in February of pro-Biafra protesters agitating for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Aba.
However, Buratai said it was unlikely that soldiers could have opened fire on activists without provocation and promised to get to the bottom of the matter.
Referring to the Army rules of engagement, the Army chief said it only permitted the use of force when all other means have failed and called on Army personnel to be professional in their conduct.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday after addressing officers and men of the 82 Division (Enugu), Buratai said it was consistent with the 1999 constitution and the Armed Forces Act for soldiers to be ‘decisive’ to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
He said: “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.”
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