‘We followed our rules of engagement’ | Army Chief speaks on Zaria massacre

Nigerian Army Boss. Tukur Buratai

Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, has shared his side of the December 12 clash between soldiers in his convoy and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, in Zaria, Kaduna.

Buratai said the army did not deliberately set out to ‘violate the rights’ of Nigerians they have sworn to defend and protect.

The army chief said the soldiers, who were accused of killing over 300 Shi’ite Muslims, followed the ‘rules of engagement which are derived from the various laws’.

Buratai spoke at the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the sitting of an investigative panel set up to look into the clash.

Sharing his account of that day, the army chief said: “The circumstances that led to the incident of December 12, 2015 have been well articulated by officers that were involved. I was in the convoy. It was my convoy, the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff.

“I left Dutse that morning, hoping to arrive Zaria on time, to attend the passing out parade of the 73 Regular Recruit of Intakes. But, the convoy was blocked when we entered the Zaria City.

“What transpired has been documented by the officers that were with me. They have also made their own statements. And they are here to give full account of what transpired. We are here because we respect human rights.”

“We are here because we know the sanctity of the human life which we have sworn to protect. One of our constitutional roles is to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria, which also include the totality of the protection of human rights and indeed, the property of every Nigeria. We have laid down our lives as army officers and soldiers over the years in the course of performing our constitutional roles.”

“There is no way we will pick our weapons and deliberately violate the rights of the people, that we have been paid to defend and protect. This is quite fundamental. We have constitutional responsibility. Drawn from that constitutional responsibility, we also have our rules and regulations. And drawn from that, we have a duty to perform in restoring peace and order where such peace and order are being disturbed. So, we followed our rules of engagement, which are derived from the various laws.”

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