Group’s report is pure blackmail - Olukolade

monjola sotubo

June 4, 2015 10:02 AM

The report, backed by a video, alleges that the country’s military authorities were responsible for the deaths of about 8,000 innocents while waging the war against Boko Haram.

Major General Chris Olukolade

Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade has described as blackmail, an Amnesty International (AI) report which accused the Nigerian Army of war crimes.

The report, backed by a video, alleges that the country’s military authorities were responsible for the deaths of about 8,000 innocents while waging the war against Boko Haram.

Olukolade responded via a statement released on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. It reads in part:

“It is unfortunate that the organisation just went out to gather names of specified senior officers in a calculated attempt to rubbish their reputation as well as the image of the military. The action, no doubt, depicts more of a premeditated indictment aimed at discrediting the country for whatever purpose.”

“It is curious that a body that has never been able to seriously condemn terror in Nigeria now claims to have done an extensive research with the aim of discrediting the nation’s effort at curtailing terror.”

“It is clear that Amnesty International becomes more active in presenting distracting allegations whenever the terrorists are losing ground in the battle. It is very unfortunate that Amnesty International has used this report to further confirm its questionable interest in the counter-terrorism effort in Nigeria.”

“It is unfair to rely on records or reports provided by certain disgruntled elements or faceless collaborators who have axe to grind with the system as evidence against officers who have been conscientiously doing their duty to defend the nation and her citizens.”

Meanwhile, AI has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the allegations levelled against the Nigerian Army.

monjola sotubo