The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), LT General TY Buratai has urged personnel of the Nigerian Army to carry out their legitimate duties without fear of sanctions or litigation from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Army boss made the call on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding(GOCs) and Field Commanders of the Nigerian Army.
The closed-door meeting which held at the Army Headquarters in Abuja was convened to discuss “the state of security of the nation and related matters.”
A statement released after the meeting by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, reveals that the COAS charged the PSOs, GOCs and Field Commanders on the need to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria, stressing that – “The best system of governance is democracy.”
The COAS who said the Nigeria army was aware of plans by sponsors of #EndSARS protests to embark on massive propaganda against the Army, added that the sponsors threatened to drag the army before the International Criminal Court (ICC) including the imposition of sanctions against personnel and their families.
He therefore urged the PSOs, GOCs, Field Commanders and other officers and soldiers of the NA not to be afraid of the ICC in carrying out their legitimate duties as stated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and other extant laws, rules and regulations of Nigeria.
At the end of the meeting, the PSOs, GOCs and Field Commanders resolved to:
a. Remain Loyal to the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari.
b. Ensure the unity and indivisibility of our country.
c. Assist the Federal Government to bring an end to insecurity across the country and to prevent miscreants and criminals from hijacking the ENDSARS protest nationwide.
d. Remain focus and not to be deterred by any local or international threats.
e. Intensify joint training with the Nigerian Police and other Sister Security Agencies to enhance interagency collaboration and cooperation.
