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 on Wednesday 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.