By Sam Kaye
A two days workshop has been conducted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a selected group of soldiers of operations Hadin Kai to sustain the gains in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria
The Army officers and men who engaged in the training recently in maiduguri on “mainstreaming human rights principles and civilian protection into counter insurgency operations were drawn from different units of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army.
The workshop organized by the NHRC in collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR, was an eye opener for the soldiers to understand when and how the rights of people generally can be maintained and applied as at when due.
Speaking with this reporter exclusively, one of the key speakers Harry Obe from the NHRC noted that it was heart warming that the Nigerian Military and other law enforcement agencies have tried to be on top of their campaign in containing the insurgency in North East Nigeria hence the need for these types of training to sustain the gains and mainstream human rights into the counter insurgency efforts of troops.
Representatives of UNHCR, who is the Senior Protection Sector Coordinator Maiduguri, Ramsey Bryant underscored the importance of the training to reducing casualty level and humanitarian consequences of internal displacement and raising protection levels.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnson Dada of the Civil military relations desk of the 7division of the Army equally gave an overview of the code of conduct and rules of engagement of security agencies in the counter insurgency operations in addition to the understanding of military and civilian relationship during the talk shop.
The two days training was expected to equip participants with the laws and guiding principles in the course of armed conflicts especially the counter insurgency operations in the North East of Nigeria.
State coordinator, NHRC Barrister Jumai Meshelia noted that the training was a routine exercise of the commission to ensure the promotion of Reconciliation within the realm of civil military relations among residents within the north east Nigerian war theatre.
Hundreds of Nigerians are still held up in refugee camps of surrounding countries along the lake Chad basin while many others remain in idp camps in their respective council areas in Borno state.
