The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law and the strict observance of globally accepted human rights standards in all military operations.
Speaking during a diplomatic working visit by the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Victims’ Rights Advocate, Najla Nassif Palma, and her delegation to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Gen. Musa highlighted a range of comprehensive measures instituted by the Federal Government to address challenges stemming from past foreign peacekeeping operations.
He assured the delegation of an open and transparent communication framework aimed at facilitating the swift resolution of long-standing paternity claims linked to legacy peacekeeping missions in Liberia. According to the minister, the mechanism is designed to bring lasting closure to the decades-old issue while ensuring justice for all parties involved.
In her remarks, Ms. Palma disclosed that 42 legacy cases are currently under review and sought the continued cooperation of the Nigerian government in advancing justice and providing closure for affected victims. She noted that some of the individuals involved have also expressed interest in obtaining Nigerian citizenship.
At the conclusion of the strategic engagement, both parties agreed to deepen institutional collaboration through specialised training programmes, joint workshops, and enhanced capacity-building initiatives. The partnership is expected to strengthen the integration of human rights protection and victims’ rights advocacy into the operational doctrine and activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
