Bayo Wahab

<h1>The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has described the move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Nigerian Security Forces as a wicked distraction.&nbsp;</h1>

The ICC had on Friday, December 11, 2020, announced its readiness to probe members of the Nigerian Security Forces<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/icc-to-investigate-nigeria-boko-haram-for-rape-war-crimes-murder-others/ymp0bj8"> for war crimes, rape, murder and other criminal offences.</a>&nbsp;

In a statement by Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Prosecutor, the court said it has found a reasonable basis to believe that members of the security forces have committed crimes against humanity.&nbsp;

Reacting to this in a statement on Saturday, December 12, 2020, Buratai asked Nigerian troops fighting to ignore the statement by Bensouda lest they are demoralised.&nbsp;

Buratai said such statement “will have negative consequences on troops morale, interest in military service by Nigerians and severe setback to all our internal security operations in the country”.

He, therefore, enjoined “Nigerian Army troops to ignore the distractions and call on the gallant troops never to be worried or demoralized by these moves”.

While encouraging soldiers fighting Boko Haram, the COAS urged the “troops to ignore the wicked, unnecessary distractions and direct troops to fully concentrate on the final defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists group which is in sight.”

Buratai, who is currently in isolation also 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.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai

Buratai asks Nigerian troops to ignore unnecessary distractions.

Buratai asks troops to ignore ICC’s move to investigate Nigerian Security Forces

Jude Egbas

<h1>The International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague will be conducting a preliminary examination into the recent #EndSARS protests in Nigeria and the shooting of unarmed, peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll on October 20, 2020.</h1>

The office of the ICC prosecutor told the BBC that it has received information on alleged crimes against humanity in Nigeria.

The<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/sanwo-olu-lekki-shooting-carried-out-by-forces-beyond-my-control/xndcdmr"> Lekki shooting of protesters </a>calling for police reforms sparked national and international outrage, with some sections of civil society alleging that federal and state governments have been keen on a grand cover-up of what transpired on the night.

The ICC examination will “assess whether the legal criteria for opening an investigation under the Rome Statute are met," the statement reads.

#EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos (Pulse)

51 civilians, 11 police officers and seven soldiers were killed during the protests that lasted for two weeks, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Rights group Amnesty International said security forces opened fire on protesters, killing and injuring a number of people. The police, the army and the government have rejected Amnesty's allegation.

The ICC added it would make findings of the preliminary investigation public.

The Lagos state government has set up <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/lekki-shooting-not-captured-by-lcc/4w8sdzy">a judicial panel of inquiry </a>to investigate the incident and probe decades of alleged extra-judicial killings and excessive use of force by police personnel.

There are also reports that the government has placed some young persons who partook in the protests on no-fly lists, with their passports reportedly confiscated at airport terminals.

#EndSARS protesters in Alausa, Lagos observe candle light ceremony for victims of police brutality on Friday, October 16, 2020

The ICC will be investigating whether crimes against humanity were committed by state actors in Nigeria.

International Criminal Court commences investigation into Lekki shooting

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