Following the Nigerian government’s confirmation of the death of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the incoming Chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede has been tasked to avoid undue tribalism that was prevalent during the tenure of the demised Chief of Army Staff and to implement open door policy, be broadbased and to provide a responsive and receptive leadership.
HURIWA which prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed Chief of Army staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, however lamented that it was inundated by repeated complaints by many people who work in the Army headquarters that the policy of tribalism was rife.
HURIWA claimed that it was apparent that the immediate past Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja wasn’t passionate about the promotion and protection of the human rights of civilians and even when cases of alleged human rights violations of soldiers are made manifest, no significant attempts were made by the immediate past Chief of Army staff to order transparent, open and accountable investigations with the view to providing remedies and redress.
“The rate of indiscipline and lack of professionalism amongst soldiers became unprecedented during the tenure of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. And because complaints sent to the office of chief of Army staff are never attended to, the cases of human rights violations committed against civilians by soldiers continued to rise with no end in sight.”
The Rights group in a media statement disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday mourned the death of the Army chief at age 56.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness,” Onanuga said.
“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”
HURIWA in a media statement by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko called on the new Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Oluyede to eradicate all traces of favoritism, tribalism and to introduce open administration and be ready to respond to petitions addressed to his office by credible civil society organisations alleging possible violations of the human rights of Nigerians by soldiers.
If confirmed by the Senate, Oluyede will become the substantive army chief, permanently replacing Lagbaja
The acting COAS was promoted from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General, days after he was appointed as acting army chief by the President.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to decorate you today,” the President was quoted as saying.
“This recognition reflects your commitment and service to the Nigerian military, which speaks volumes through your exemplary record.
“We recognise all that you have been doing to ensure the country is safe and stable,’’ the President said.
HURIWA has appealed to the new Chief of Army Staff to re-organise the Department of civil-military relations and to expand the presence of the Human Rights Desks and compel these offices to get to work immediately and sensitise soldiers on their legal obligations to adhere strictly to respecting the human rights of civilians and those of soldiers as enshrined in chapter four of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999, as amended.
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