Abuja, Nigeria – May 23, 2024
Amid rising tensions between civilians and military personnel, the Nigerian Civil Society has praised the current leadership of the Armed Forces for their dedication to promoting civil-military cooperation and upholding human rights.
Adams Otakwu, Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies, highlighted the establishment of Civil-Military Cooperation Departments and Human Rights Desks as key initiatives reflecting the military’s commitment to democratic principles. “These initiatives are designed to entertain civilian complaints and mitigate potential conflicts, showcasing how our military has evolved in fostering mutual respect,” Otakwu stated.
Despite recent attacks on military personnel, such as the incident at Banex Plaza, Abuja, the Civil Society reiterated the importance of recognizing the military as a collective institution serving all Nigerians. The statement called for unity and cooperation with the armed forces to ensure national security and development, drawing inspiration from countries like France, Germany, and the US, which have successfully nurtured strong civil-military relations.
Below is the full statement:
INCESSANT ATTACKS ON NIGERIAN MILITARY AND SECURITY FORCES: A DASTARD AND CONDEMNABLE TREND THAT CAN TRIGGER ANARCHY, UNREST AND NATIONAL SECURITY DESTABILIZATION
The Nigerian Civil Society roundly condemns the infamous trend of attacks on our military and security forces by civilians as witnessed recently at Banex Plaza, Abuja. This incident is not just an attack on individual soldiers, but an affront to our collective sensibility and the Nigerian State, because the military is an institution that embodies our collective strength, unity and resilience. Any assault on the military is an assault on the very fabric of our Nation, that can trigger anarchy, unrest and national security destabilization.
Less we forget, the experiences of Udi, Zaki-biam, and the recent Okuoma community in Delta State, were widely reckoned as unpleasant, and underscore the necessity of maintaining a respectful and cooperative stance towards our military personnel to prevent unintended military responses. This accounts for our intensified efforts to galvanize Civil-Military Cooperation across the country in the bid to foster good relationship between the civilian populace and our military forces. We urge all citizens to remember that the military exists to protect and serve the Nigerian people, hence fostering a harmonious relationship with them is crucial for our collective security and progress.
It is pertinent to state that the current leadership of the Armed Forces has shown commendable dedication to promoting this relationship as evidenced by the establishment of Civil-Military Cooperation Departments and Human Rights Desks across various services of the Armed Forces. These initiatives are designed to entertain civilian complaints, and mitigate potential conflicts between military personnel and civilians, a reflection of how democratically compliant our military has evolved in upholding human rights and fostering mutual respect.
Again, we reiterate that that the military is our collective institution, and any assault on it is an assault on the Nigerian people. It is essential to recognize that the military is not biased towards any tribe, religion, or region. Nations like France, Germany, Egypt, the UK, and the US have demonstrated this understanding and emerged stronger and more resilient. Let us draw inspiration from these examples and work together with our armed forces in the overall interest of National Security and Development.
May God bless Nigeria
Adams Otakwu
Chairperson – Conference of Civil Societies
