Defence Minister Praises ICRC for Humanitarian Efforts

The Nigerian Defence Minister, Musa, commended the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its humanitarian services during a meeting held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting aimed to discuss humanitarian operations, civil-military relations, and the welfare of detainees in the context of ongoing counterinsurgency efforts.

Musa reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to promoting human rights compliance and established protocols guiding civil-military relations. He expressed concern over the continued insurgency affecting parts of the northeast and northwest, emphasizing that national security requires collective responsibility and broader stakeholder support.

Dori El Doueihi, head of the ICRC delegation in Nigeria, appreciated the organization's ongoing cooperation with the Nigerian military and described the relationship as critical for delivering humanitarian services in conflict-affected areas. She commended the federal government's recent launch of a military police training program in Zaria and reaffirmed the ICRC's commitment to expanding humanitarian operations across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

The ICRC also appealed for improved detainee access procedures, particularly regarding communication with detainees' family members, and encouraged stronger coordination with the Ministry of Justice to address issues related to detention facility congestion and expedite the hearing process.