Nigeria to probe troops commiting crimes against civilians

AFP

11 August 2011

Nigeria to probe troops commiting crimes against civilians

 ABUJA — Nigerian authorities said Thursday they would probe all cases of misconduct by a "few bad eggs" among troops who commit crimes against civilians while trying to battle Islamists in northeast of the country.

"A few bad eggs amongst them sometimes over react to situations and create discontent amongst the civilian population thereby dragging the name of the military to disrepute," Defence Minister Bello Mohammed said in a statement.

Mohammed said that he has directed the military high command "to investigate all incidents of military misconduct against law abiding citizens".

Efforts, he said, were also under way to "orientate" the armed forces to make them civilian-friendly in their approach to tackle problems of insecurity.

The minister particularly referred to the alleged shooting death of a woman in Biu town following the arrest of some Boko Haram sect suspects.