Reinstating Nigerian generals accused of atrocities is backlash against ending war crimes- Amnesty

Amnesty International says the reinstatement of the Nigerian army generals implicated in the murder of thousands of prisoners in the fight against Boko Haram is “a mockery of commitments to end war crimes”.

The humans right group in June, named General Mohammed Ahmadu and eight other senior Nigerian officers for being responsible for the death of more than 8,000 inmates and had opened investigations in to the matter.

“Major General Mohammed must be investigated for participating in, sanctioning or failing to prevent the deaths of hundreds of people,” Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International said.

According to Amnesty, Mohammed Ahmadu was commander of operations and in charge of the 7 Division when the military executed over 600 detainees at the detention center in Giwa barracks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

Amnesty in its 2015 report, identified over 7000 people had died of starvation, choking or torture in the military detention camp since March 2011. While some some 1,200 others have been abducted and executed.

“Young men and boys, rounded up by the military, were either shot, starved, suffocated or tortured to death and no one has yet been held to account. It is unthinkable that Major General Muhammed could resume command of troops before an investigation has even begun” Shetty added.

Amnesty in statement called for the launch of an independent inquiry into crimes.

President Buhari after the publication of the report twittered that he was going to investigate the allegations but that is yet to be done.

“We will not tolerate or condone impunity and reckless disregard for human rights.” – MBuhari

— President Buhari (NGRPresident) 3 Juin 2015

The Human Rights group said the ICC has opened a preliminary investigation into the Boko Haram insurgency, resulting in the death of thousands of people since 2009.

But the Court has said there are insufficient evidence to establish the link between the Nigerian military and the organized atrocities against civilians.