Following the constant abuse of the fundamental human rights of civilians by some soldiers, the Defence Headquarters has swiftly moved to inaugurate a panel to check the excesses of its members in the country.
Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai
According to preliminary reports from Sahara Reporters, Nigerian Army has set up a "Human Rights Desk" for aggrieved citizens to report the excesses of military officers.
The phone numbers of the body has been given as 08160134303 or 08161507644 and email address is na.hrd@army.mil.ng
This may not be unconnected to the conclusion of the case of gross domestic violence on a minor in Borno who suffered life-threatening injuries in the hands of a soldier.
It would be recalled that Nigerian Army court martial on Tuesday in Maiduguri convicted a soldier for an assault on a 10-year old boy and violation of the rules of engagement in the Boko Haram counter-insurgency operation in the North-East of the country.
Staff Sergeant Umar Sule allegedly assaulted the boy (name withheld) at his duty post in Maiduguri and inflicted grievous bodily harm on him, leading to the amputation of the boy's left arm. He is the first to be convicted by a court martial in recent times. He has been condemned to 3 years behind bars and a demotion from current rank of sergeant to private.