By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters recently organized a human rights lecture for troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) to reinforce the importance of respecting the rights of innocent civilians during military operations. The aim of the lecture was to prevent any violation of human rights by troops and personnel of Operation SAFE HAVEN.

During the event held at Headquarters 3 Division Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Major General AE Abubakar, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, emphasized the significance of continuous training on human rights for troops operating within the OPSH Joint Operations Area. These trainings, conducted by both military institutions and civil society organizations, have enhanced the capacity of personnel during internal security operations where they frequently engage with civilians.

Major General Abubakar stressed the need for military personnel deployed on OPSH to operate within the boundaries of the law and respect the rights of innocent civilians. He encouraged the participants to share the knowledge gained from the lecture with their colleagues who were unable to attend, ensuring that every personnel is guided by the principles of human rights. The Commander highlighted that the lecture was in line with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG Musa’s commitment to improving the professional capability of military personnel in internal security operations across the country, as directed by Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja.

The guest speaker, Major AA Goni, delivered a lecture on the Protection of Civilians. He emphasized the importance of not selectively protecting civilians during conflict and stressed that no level of military operations justifies the unlawful killing of civilians.

Barrister Lovina Abbah, a Human Rights Lawyer, delivered the second lecture on Torture and Cruel Treatment. She emphasized that by respecting human rights, military personnel are more likely to gain the trust and confidence of the civilian population, which can contribute to the success of military operations. Barrister Abbah further emphasized that the use of torture to extract information from detainees is not permitted by law. She urged the participants to adopt forensic methods of investigation to ascertain the facts of cases being investigated and to adhere to operational guidelines while on duty.

Air Commodore OO Akisanya (Rtd), the team leader and Special Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on Human Rights, revealed that the lecture aimed to improve the operational effectiveness of military personnel operating in a joint environment.

The event included lectures on the Protection of Civilians and Torture and Cruel Treatment, an interactive session, the presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs.