Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged Nigerian Army legal officers to ensure that military operations strictly comply with national and international laws.
Shaibu gave the directive in Abuja during the opening of a five-day specialised training workshop for Army lawyers organised by the Directorate of Legal Services.
The workshop focuses on the role of legal officers in advising commanders on compliance with international humanitarian law and the military justice system.
Represented by the Chief of Administration, Maj.-Gen. I.M. Abdullahi, Shaibu said legal officers were essential to ensuring commanders received timely and sound legal advice before, during and after military operations.
He said military successes must be matched by compliance with the Constitution, Armed Forces Act, international humanitarian law, human rights law and applicable rules of engagement.
The Army chief urged legal officers to remain independent and objective while ensuring that operational decisions protected civilians and respected lawful limits on the use of force.
Acting Director of Legal Services, Col. Samuel Okebukola, said the training would strengthen lawyers’ ability to advise commanders during counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, detention, targeting and joint operations.
He added that military lawyers had a responsibility to protect fundamental rights and ensure fair military trials while helping commanders understand the legal boundaries of military action.
