The Nigerian Army has stoutly defended its decision to reinstate Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, who was accused of involvement in human rights abuses while he was the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, Borno State.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, explained in a statement that Gen. Mohammed was recalled after being cleared of the allegations against him. The statement, in reply to the reservations of Amnesty International over the issue, declared the retirement of the embattled Gen. Mohammed illegal, insisting that the legal procedure that was followed in his reinstatement.

According to Col. Usman, “The compulsory and premature retirement of Major General Mohammed did not follow due process and was rather arbitrary. The senior officer was never charged, tried, let alone found guilty of any offence that justified his premature retirement. The action was therefore a clear violation of extant rules, regulations, as well as Terms and Conditions of Service of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. This obvious violation prompted the senior officer to seek redress using the appropriate legal means.

“Consequently, the realisation of these omissions called for a review of the case by the Army Council and his subsequent reinstatement into the Service. Evidently, the objection to his reinstatement into the Nigerian Army was ill-informed and being respecter of law, the protector and promoter of human rights, the organisation should be guided by this principle and not by sentiments or act on the basis of misinformation.”

The Nigerian Army said it would “appreciate it more if Amnesty International provides us with records and clear evidences directly indicting Major General Mohammed in human rights abuse to enable us act on it.”

It assured Amnesty International that the Nigerian Army respects human rights and is ready to partner with the organisation in promoting human rights protection and development.