Defence Minister Vows Action Over Alleged Military Human Rights Violations After Meeting With Legal Practitioner

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has assured citizens that concerns surrounding alleged human rights violations involving military personnel will be addressed following a strategic meeting with Kano-based legal practitioner, Hamza Nuhu Dantani.

Barrister Dantani disclosed details of the meeting through his official Facebook page on Wednesday. According to him, the discussion became necessary due to increasing public complaints regarding alleged abuses reportedly committed by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The legal practitioner explained that several disturbing incidents were brought before the Minister, including allegations of unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, illegal detention without trial, and other actions believed to violate the constitutional rights of civilians.

Speaking on the development, Dantani stated that he personally presented multiple sensitive cases directly to the Defence Minister, especially incidents involving civilians who were allegedly arrested or killed without following due legal procedures.

One of the major incidents raised during the engagement was the reported killing of Abdulrahman Mustapha. According to Dantani, the victim was allegedly arrested by military personnel on March 22, 2026, before later being shot dead under circumstances that remain unclear.

The lawyer noted that although authorities reportedly confirmed that an investigation had commenced, many observers believe stronger action is still required to ensure accountability and justice for the victim’s family.

Another case highlighted during the meeting involved the tragic death of a 14-year-old girl in Maiduguri on April 4, 2026. Reports indicated that the teenager lost her life after being hit by a stray bullet while inside her residence.

Although military authorities allegedly denied responsibility for the incident and attributed the shooting to a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Dantani maintained that there were indications suggesting the possible involvement of an active-duty soldier.

The lawyer further expressed concern over reports of prolonged detention involving several individuals who allegedly remain in military custody without formal charges or trial proceedings.

Among the examples cited was the case of Abdullahi Garba, a resident of Gwoza Local Government Area, who was reportedly detained after publicly calling on political leaders to intensify efforts toward addressing insecurity affecting his community.

Dantani emphasized that numerous similar incidents may never reach public attention because many victims are either afraid to speak openly or lack the financial and legal resources needed to pursue justice.

According to him, the Defence Minister responded positively to the concerns raised and assured that necessary measures would be introduced to improve the relationship between civilians and the military institution.

He added that the Minister promised that all allegations would be carefully investigated while reforms aimed at strengthening accountability within the military system would also be considered.

Dantani further revealed that the Minister facilitated communication with senior military authorities in an effort to accelerate the handling and possible resolution of some pending cases.

The lawyer explained that the Defence Minister reiterated that official channels remain available for Nigerians who wish to report alleged misconduct involving security personnel.

He also stated that the Minister assured him that any military officer found guilty of violating operational rules or engaging in misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with military regulations.

While responding to the complaints, the Minister also encouraged citizens to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security agencies as they continue efforts to tackle insecurity and maintain national stability across different parts of the country.

Human rights advocates and civil society organizations have continued to call for transparency, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights during security operations in Nigeria. Observers believe that stronger collaboration between security agencies and the public could help improve trust and reduce tensions in affected communities.

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