NAF Moves To Curb Rights Abuse, As Navy Appoints New Spokesman

AGAINST the backdrop of allegations of human rights abuses against the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has set up a platform for the public to interface with the authorities on the misconducts of its personnel or such complaints that would enhance their performance.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ekwe Ibas has approved the appointment of a new Director of Navy Information (DINFO), Commodore Chris Ezekobe, to replace Commodore Kabir Aliyu, who will retire at the end of this month.

The Director of the newly-established Civil Military Relations Department, Air Commodore Afam Chukwu at a media briefing yesterday in Abuja said the creation of the department was the fallout of the seminar organised by NAF last year where the leadership was reminded of the need to “always observe human rights and other international humanitarian laws in the conduct of NAF operations.”

He said it was because of the importance attached to human rights and related issues of civil-military cooperation by the present NAF leadership that he would be going round the various commands in the country to preach the message of the seminar and also address related issues in such commands.

After 35 years of service in the Nigeria Armed Forces, Commodore Aliyu would proceed on the mandatory three months terminal leave at the end of this month.

Aliyu, who was appointed DINFO in 2010, said his over 20 years of experience working with journalists broadened his understanding of the world outside the military, especially as it relates to information management.

Noting that he would be available for consultation when necessary, he advised his successor to operate an open door policy and also seek to understand the journalists he would be relating with.

Responding, Commodore Ezekobe pledged to fill in the space left behind by his predecessor and work to ensure that the vision of the CNS for the Nigerian Navy and the military at large is actualised.