Group lauds military over fight against insurgency

The Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for sustaining the victory over Boko Haram.

Speaking at the presentation of its mid-term report in Abuja on Tuesday, 30 May 2017, GAW’s African representative, Tom John Lever said the Nigerian military has been able to sustain its victory over insurgency due to its highest level of transparency and intelligence.

The representative said no fewer than 11,000 persons have so far been rescued from Boko Haram den on the basis of military intelligence.

His words: "A first batch of 21 Chibok Girls have been freed followed six months later with another 82 of the girls freed. The terrorists are being pressured to free the remaining girls. As at May 2017, 11,894 other hostages of the terror group had been freed. Hundreds of other hostages have been freed in the period since then.

"Several Boko Haram fighters with their commanders (amir) have surrendered, been captured or killed. Many others fled underground and are hiding among civilian population and in refugee camps.

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"The Nigerian Army opened a Human Rights Desk in October 2016 and this contributed immensely to adherence and compliance with rules of engagement.

"The US government, which earlier blocked sales of arms and hardware to Nigeria has softened its stance and the embargo has been lifted. The deal for the sale of A29 Super Tucano aircrafts to Nigeria's military is a direct outcome of the notable changes the world has seen both in the improved due diligence that eradicate corruption in military procurement and improved human rights records that meet international standards."

He however admitted that more can still be done to accelerate driving Boko Haram into extinction.