Scene of the Lekki Massacre
The Nigerian Army has urged troops waging war against insurgency in the North-East not to be discouraged by the allegations levelled against the military by the International Criminal Court, ICC and the Amnesty International, Nigeria.
The military said this in reaction to a Press Release by the Prosecutor General of the ICC claiming that the court has found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the Nigerian Security Forces have committed acts constituting crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai urged the Nigerian Army troops to ignore the distractions as he also called on the troops never to be worried or demoralized by these moves.
According to the military, the Amnesty International, Nigeria has also demanded that full investigation into the atrocities allegedly committed by Nigerian forces.
The Military opined that such a statement can distract the Nigerian Army troops with its demoralising effects that could have negative consequences on troops morale, interest in military service by Nigerians.
Buratai enjoined troops to ignore what he described as wicked, unnecessary distractions and directed troops to fully concentrate on the final defeat of Boko Haram terrorists.
Meanwhile, he charged the troops to work hard and be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rules of Engagement, the Code of Conduct and the Standing Operating Procedures for all Nigerian Army Operations.