Respect Human Rights, Be Professional In Your Conduct – GOC 6 Division To Troops

Respect Human Rights, Be Professional In Your Conduct – GOC 6 Division To Troops

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Eric Emmanuel Emekah has implored troops of 6 Division to continue to respect the fundamental human rights of the citizens and be professional in discharging their responsibilities.

He made the call at a Sensitization Workshop on Human Rights and Professional Conduct for Troops of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army held at the Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya Badminton Court, Port Harcourt Barracks on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.

Major General Emekah noted that over the years, the NA has deployed troops across numerous theatres to safeguard the territorial integrity of Nigeria and assist civil authorities in maintaining peace and security. Troops engaged in these operations are equipped with rules of engagement and codes of conduct. He emphasized that regular refresher training was essential to constantly remind them of human rights and international best practices.

The GOC, while thanking the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for the approval of 6 Division to host the program, lauded the initiative by the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) for bringing it to fruition. This he said, represents a pivotal step toward fostering a culture of respect for human rights and professional conduct among troops.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), Major General Gold Chibuisi underscored the necessity for professional conduct, particularly in the South-South region, where troops are confronted with arrays of security challenges, including crude oil theft, bunkering, cultism, kidnapping, amongst others. He further stated that the far-reaching implications of these threats on local communities and the national economy have necessitated the execution of various internal security operations and exercises between the NA and other security agencies. These operations have imposed substantial responsibilities on the NA as an institution and on its personnel. This reality makes it imperative for soldiers to be well-versed in the regulations governing the conduct of operations in all situations.

The CCMA reminded the troops that respect for human rights and the professional demeanor of Nigerian soldiers in all circumstances is not merely a matter of adherence to various rules of engagement and codes of conduct; it is also a prerequisite for achieving the objectives and restoring normalcy in conflict-affected areas. He also highlighted that the initial step in cultivating public trust and confidence is compliance with the laws of armed conflict, upholding the human rights of neutral civilians, and exhibiting professionalism, which lies at the heart of the workshop’s purpose.

The CCMA further noted that the COAS has sanctioned the conduct of the Sensitization Workshop across Divisions, Brigades, and Training Institutions, ensuring that troops are adequately equipped with the necessary impetus to perform their legitimate duties. He maintained that it is imperative that troops behavior, both in and out of uniform, aligns with the expectations of the NA and the civilian populace.

The program, which was organized by AHQ DCMA had several lectures delivered on diverse topics, including awareness of drugs, substance abuse, mental health and family issues, international humanitarian law, human rights, and the conduct of troops. The first lecture focused on drug awareness, delivered by Mr. Osita Iheme, popularly known as “Aki” while the second lecture centered on psychoactive substances, presented by a representative of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command, Mrs. Adeniyi Dinebiuo, along with several other speakers.