President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday explained why Nigeria is using “minimum force” in fighting Boko Haram insurgents, saying his administration was doing its utmost best to protect the fundamental human rights of persons in the theatre of operations.
Addressing a special session of the EU parliament in Strasbourg, France, President Buhari said his government shared the European Union’s commitment to peace and security.
He said he also shared the UN’s respect for human rights, democracy and good governance, equality and tolerance, as ways of developing prosperous and strong societies.
“For our part, we have updated our rules of engagement in fighting terrorism and pay very close attention during operations to the treatment of captured terrorists, civilians caught up in the conflict and in general, safeguarding property.
“Our aim is to use minimum force necessary in our fight against terrorists,” Mr. Buhari assured members of the parliament and the European Union Commission.
Mr. Buhari also spoke of Nigeria’s concerns about the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union, African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), collectively endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States
