Army Probes Soldiers For Torturing Terrorist To Death

Army Probes Soldiers For Torturing Terrorist To Death

The Nigerian Army has said it is investigating and will sanction soldiers caught on a video torturing a suspected Boko Haram terrorist to death at a location believed to be in the North-East geopolitical zone.

A video showing some army personnel torturing and killing a suspected Boko Haram member has been circulating on the social media for some days now.

In the video, the soldiers after killing the victim buried the corpse in a shallow grave.

But the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, in a release on Monday, said Nigerians would be briefed on the outcome of the investigations.

He said, “The attention of the army has been drawn to a video reportedly showing some army personnel engaged in unprofessional torture and above all extrajudicial killing of a suspected Boko Haram terrorist likely in the North-East theatre of operation.

“The army strongly condemns the action of those involved (whoever they may be) in the misconduct, and that the dastardly act is completely unacceptable and unethical. The army’s training; rules of engagement and standing operating procedures guiding the conduct of all its operations are unambiguous about human rights abuses and extrajudicial actions including the rights of the arrested or captured terrorists and combatants.

“Troops in the various theatres of operations in Nigeria have been consistently warned to desist from rights’ infractions of any form no matter the amount of desperation, anger or provocation. The army does not license, encourage or condone indiscipline, unprofessional conduct especially extrajudicial execution of suspects or combatants.

“Where ever such is noticed or reported, once it is confirmed, appropriate decisive sanction or punishment is usually immediately meted out to the perpetrators and this case would never be an exception.

“Accordingly, on seeing the gory video, the army has commenced a thorough investigation to apprehend the culprits with a view to dealing with them in accordance with the extant military justice system. Members of the public will surely be informed of the results of the actions taken so far.”