Army Won’t Condone Impunity – Buratai

The chief of army staff (COAS), Gen Tukur
Buratai, has said the Nigerian Army would not
tolerate any act of impunity under the guise of
human rights by any individual or group of
persons in the country.
The COAS spoke yesterday at the National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) headquarters
in Abuja during the first sitting of the
investigative panel set up by the NHRC to probe
the clash and make recommendations to the
Federal Government on how to prevent a
recurrence. He added that his men acted within
the rules of military engagement.
Buratai, who explained how his convoy was held
hostage by members of the sect, said his
convoy was blocked in Zaria.
He said,''The circumstances that led to the
incident of December 12, 2015 have been well
articulated by officers that were involved. I was
in the convoy. It was my convoy, the convoy of
the COAS.
''I left Dutse that morning, hoping to arrive
Zaria on time, to attend the passing out parade
of the 73 Regular Recruit of Intakes. But, the
convoy was blocked when we entered the Zaria
City. We are here because we know the sanctity
of the human life which we have sworn to
protect. One of our constitutional roles is to
defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria, which
also include the totality of the protection of
human rights and indeed, the property of every
Nigeria.''