Federal Government has labeled the 2015/2016 report of Amnesty International (AI) as lacking conformity to standards.
This is particularly so on evidence gathering, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Clement Aduku.
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) through its spokesperson, Brig. Rabe Abubakar had earlier described the Amnesty International report alleging death of 240 people including babies in Borno and 177 pro Biafran agitators as “contrived lies orchestrated to blackmail and ridicule the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
DHQ said the report was yet another in its series of the international organization’s spurious fabrications aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Nigerian military, as it had unsuccessfully tried to do in the past.
In the recent statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, government wondered why the report failed to condemn the atrocities committed by terrorist groups in Nigeria, and why Amnesty did not deem it fit and proper, in line with best practices, to subject its report process to wide consultations and in-depth engagement.
He stated that the AI should be aware that Nigeria was a law-abiding state governed by democratic norms enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The statement said: “Such omission made the scenario captured in the report itself to totally lack conformity to both local and international standards,” government said.
“The federal government does not, and will not condone, the brazen and needless display of lack of regard for constituted authority by any unlawful groups.
“Accordingly, no persons or group of persons will be allowed to destabilize the peace, stability and security, or jeopardize the unity and sovereign existence of Nigeria
“No matter how highly placed and the level of external supports such individuals or group of persons enjoy.”
The ministry noted that where terrorists have unleashed their dastardly acts, legal means and measures are usually deployed by affected countries to counter violent extremism.
Nigeria should therefore, not be unduly pressured or pilloried for taking similar measures in defence of its national security, he said.
“Even if AI does not deem it fit to report on the atrocities committed by violent groups, the government of Nigeria will ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” it stated.
On Shi’ite leader in Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, which AI pronounced on, government said: “The AI, in dabbling into Nigeria’s legal and judicial system, did not give due credence to the Federal Government’s appeal filed against the decision of the lower court for El-Zakzaky to be released.”
“The conduct of the El-Zakzaky movement is one that cannot be tolerated by any progressive democratic government.”
The ministry also reiterated that the agitation for a sovereign State of Biafra was unacceptable and detrimental to the peace, unity, stability and development of the Nigerian State.
It stated that the scenario captured and the report itself lacked conformity to both local and international standards on evidence gathering.
“Nonetheless, if any security personnel are found to have flouted the rules of engagement, or acted unprofessionally, such officers would be punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“Nigeria remains committed to the freedom of expression and association, peaceful assembly and protest within the confines of the law,” it stated.
The Ministry reminded AI and all other human rights groups, that the victims of the despicable activities of terrorist groups deserve sympathy from all, including national and international non-governmental human rights groups.
It stated that the morale of the security forces undertaking the difficult task of risking their lives and sacrificing their comfort to keep Nigeria safe and united must not be dampened.
