By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The delegation from the African Union – Economic Social and Cultural Council has passed a vote of confidence on the Nigerian Army, saying the leadership under Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army staff has enhanced professionalism.
This is as the delegation accused the West of sponsoring Amnesty International to destabilise the country.
Leader of the delegation, Mr Tunji Ashaolu, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.
He also said, their organisation is spearheading the ‘silence the gun’ programme which is aim at preventing the proliferation of light weapons and arms in Africa and therefore employed the help of the NA in this regard.
According to him, the role of Nigerian Army in the African continent cannot be underrated and that informed the decision of the organisation to work with them (NA) for the implementation of the programme
According to Ashaolu, “You have reorganised the army through professionalism,” and has retrained them, adding that the Army has been experiencing rapid promotion.
He added, “You have established human rights desk in all the Army formations. If you have been able to do this, I don’t see why some group would say that you are violating human rights. Someone violating human rights would not establish those desks.
“I think they have put this in place not only to undermine your office but the Nigerian government.
“The Amnesty International that is saying you are violating human rights is being sponsored by western people,” he said.
“I, on behalf of AU, Economic and Social Council, passed vote of confidence in the Nigerian Army,” under your leadership. “You have done it all, all you need is encouraging,” he added.
He explained that, “We are here to tell you, we are behind you. African Union is behind you. It means you have to do more. We are not partisan, we are not politicians, we can’t be used.
“Whatever we see, we say it. You have done a lot,” he said.
He explained that the group had the capacity and willingness to “step in, in empowering the youth in the North East. Train them, empower them .
“Poverty has a link with poverty. We can partner with Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution to do this job,” Ashaolu said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff said, “This visit is a morale booster. This has increased our confidence, that we are being appreciated not only in Nigeria but across the continent and globally.
“You have come with a message from the African Union. The AU Agenda 2063, of silencing the gun is a laudable initiative. It should be imbibed by all and sundry.
“We have had this challenge for a long time. The proliferation of Small Arms across the country.”
He said the Nigerian Army has been working with other security agencies to ensure that the menace of proliferation of small and light weapons are addressed.
Buratai further pointed out that the “border are properly being monitored to check smuggling, human trafficking and other vices. These are efforts supporting AU silencing the gun,” agenda.
“We are reinforcing the security at the borders.”
He said the country has a national data on recovery of light weapons” and strategy to verify to know countries of origin of recovered weapons.
According to him, some Boko Haram terrorists that were captured had locally produced ammunition. He said such a situation is being addressed by the government.
“We have taken steps to address the security situation across Nigeria.”
He urged everyone especially critics to have “a rethink and come to support the fight against insurgency.
“Come and focus effort to solve the socio-economic situation in the country; to ameliorate the suffering of the people instead of vilifying the men and and women working hard to make the country safe.
“We can’t go back to how it was. We cannot go back to 2015 until insurgency is eliminated.”
