Nigeria opposition party asks ICC to probe replaced security chiefs

Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party has demanded the investigation of the replaced security chiefs by the International Criminal Court, ICC, even as the President declared that the country is in a state of emergency.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges the International Criminal Court (ICC) to commence investigation of the tenure of the outgoing service chiefs over reported atrocities and crimes against humanity committed by security operatives under their command “a statement by the opposition party said.

But while receiving the newly appointed security chiefs, President Buhari declared:

“We’re in a state of emergency. Be patriotic; serve the country well, as your loyalty is to the country.”

“You know the stage we were in 2015, you know the stage we are now, and the undertakings we made. We promised to secure the country, revive the economy, and fight corruption. None has been easy, but we have certainly made progress.”

A spokesman for the opposition party, Kola Ologbondiyan urges the ICC Chief Prosecutor, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, to issue official warrant in line with the court’s earlier declaration that it has enough evidence to open a full probe on alleged crimes against humanity under the outgoing commanders.

“The exiting service chiefs must be made to provide answers for the reported massacre of unarmed protesters by the military in the northwest and southeast states between 2015 and 2018, including the 348 civilians reportedly killed by soldiers in Kaduna state, north west Nigeria as well as the 347 bodies found in mass graves in the aftermath of the Zaria massacre, Kaduna state”

The opposition party urged the ICC to probe the cases of extra-judicial execution of innocent Nigerians, massacre of peaceful protesters, illegal arrests and arbitrary detention of citizens in dehumanizing cells, torture and rape allegedly committed by the military under the outgoing commanders, as detailed in the reports of credible international bodies including the United States Department of State, Amnesty International (AI) and Transparency International.

President Buhari replaced all the security chiefs on Tuesday amid increasing insecurity in Africa’s most populous country. There have been several calls by the public for their replacement as a result of worsening security such as attacks by Islamic militants in the North east, banditry in North West and kidnapping for ransom across the country. The House of Representatives and the Senate in separate resolutions had also called for the replacement of the service chiefs.