Monarch Chides Amnesty International, Others Over Statement On Nigerian Army
A frontline monarch in Osun state, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, the Olowu of Owu Kuta, has chided the Amnesty International and other Civil Society Groups in Nigeria over their activities to undermine the effort of Nigerian Army to combat insurgency in Nigeria.
Addressing a World Press Conference tagged “Support Nigeria Army – Our Army” in his palace Thursday, Oba Oyelude called on the media and Nigerians to support the Army in the fight against Boko Haram.
According to him, the submission by Amnesty International to the International Criminal Court (ICC) that Nigerian Army is guilty of murder pursuant to article 8(2)(c)(i); is aimed at demoralizing the Army at tackling the insurgent.
“Amnesty international and other NGO in the North should desist from sabotaging our efforts to destabilize the insurgency. Anything that will degrade the integrity and image of our army will not be tolerated.
“I am of the humble opinion that the submission by Amnesty International to the ICC on the Nigeria Army is destabilizing, injurious and defamatory.
“To say the Nigeria Army is guilty of murder pursuant to article 8(2)(c)(i); torture, cruelty, outrageous upon personal dignity and internationally directing attacks against civilians just exposed how far away from reality the ICC is.
“I implore all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation or conviction to come together and resist this cheap blackmail against our Army.
“I consider it mischievous and malicious the timing of the release of the said report, and the usual double standard of the so-called Amnesty International in demoralizing our patriotic Army.
He said Nigerians should rise against any primordial sentiment that is targeted to degrade Nigerian Army.
Oba Oyelude urged President Buhari to remember his duty to protect Nigerians and her integrity and therefore set aside any attempt from anywhere aimed at slowing down total war against insurgency.
According to him, to give legitimacy to actions of the Army to wipe out Boko Haram, the President can declare a state of emergency in some affected area adding that government cannot afford to see a group terrorising the people.
Commended the Sheu of Bornu who allowed partnership between the military and local vigilante, urging other traditional rulers in the North to emulate him.
The monarch who hinted that he would soon begin his tour to the traditional rulers in all the six geo-political zone of the country, maintained that “unity of Nigeria is not negotiated.