The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) says the Nigerian troops are making progress in their fight against insurgency.
The centre said this is as a result of high human rights compliance and regular visits of Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, to soldiers on the battlefield.
The Centre made the observation at the public presentation of its special report on the war against terror by the Nigerian military and human rights compliance.
The report was presented in Abuja on Wednesday. The group called on the federal government to accept repentant insurgents so as to ensure they are fully rehabilitated so they can fit back into society.
The report jointly signed by Ibrahim Abubakar, executive secretary and Emmanuel Ogah, director of research and documentation reads below.
‘The war against terrorism in Nigeria (North-east) had spanned over ten years since when the Boko Haram terrorist group resorted to violence against the state in 2009. The Nigerian military has since then been actively engaged in the battle for the soul of Nigeria,” the report read.
“The turn of events has witnessed sordid tales of maiming and killings of innocent people by Boko Haram terrorist. This period also saw an increase in kidnapping of women and children, that drew the world attention to Nigeria.
“The Nigerian military has indeed risen to the occasion in ensuring that the territorial integrity of the country is preserved due to concerted efforts of all relevant stakeholders, including President Muhammadu Buhari. This report took a cursory look at the various issues at stake as it concerns the protection of human rights by the Nigerian military in executing the war, as well as the multiple allegations of human rights violations against the Nigerian military by organizations such as Amnesty International.
“This report was commissioned to put paid to speculation and to present issues in proper perspective for all sundry.
“It was observed that the Chief of Army Staff, as an operational strategy towards boosting the morale of the fighting troops, carries periodic visits to the theatre of operations. In some instances, it was announced and in other cases not announced in an attempt to gauge the mood of the troops.
“It was also observed that there are several times the Chief of Army Staff when on routine visits, his convoy was ambushed. These incidents didn’t deter the Chief of Army Staff from continuing with the regular visits that also involves occasional dining with troops at the battlefront.
“The team of researchers was able to identify that the impact of the routine visits by the Chief of Army staff has had a tremendous impact on the morale of the fighting troops, which has resulted in the renewed vigour as exhibited by the troops in the battlefront.
“The soldiers in the battlefront always look forward to the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to the battlefront. In some instances, the Chief of Army Staff visits the troops in trenches and passes the night in the trenches with them.”
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