Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
Abayomi Olonisakin , Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Thursday declared the Military’s readiness to further strengthen its approach to minimising civilian harming conflict situations.
The CDS made this known in Abuja at a-one day workshop on the ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Situations Towards a National Policy’, organised by the Centre for Civilians in Conflict in collaboration with African Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS)
Olonisakin who was represented by Rear Admiral Stanford Enoch, said that the present draft of nation’s policy on protection of civilians and civilian harm mitigation is fully consistent with the military’s commitments and obligationsunder Nigerian and international laws.
According to him, “the national security strategy identifies the security and welfare of the Nigerian people as a core national interest. Meanwhile, the preventing and countering violent extremism framework states that respect for human rightsmust be prioritised, and recognises that grievances linked to abuses contribute to the spread of violent extremism.”
Continuing, the CDS said, “Indeed, effective protection of civilians is integral to the mission and crucial to the professional, disciplined reputation of Nigerian armed forces. As we strive to confront myriad security challenges, we stand ready to further strengthen our approach to minimising civilian harm through training,guidance and careful operational planning; investigating all reports of harm; and acknowledging and assisting those affected when it does occur.”
He reaffirmed federal government and the armed forces commitment to the protection of civilians in all security operations and recognised the value of developing a clear national policy on this.
Also, Sheu Yusuf, a retired Major General and the President of ACSS, recalled that the National Policy on Protection of Civilians and Civilian Harm Mitigation was drafted in Nivember 2016 in consultation with the federal government, adding that the policy was intended to guide key ministries whose portfolios touch on human rights, security operations and the protection of civilians.
The policy he said, sets forth the federal government’s approach to reducing incidental harm, investigating allegations of harm and appropriately acknowledging harm with a view to assisting affected civilians.