A humanitarian organisation under the aegis of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative, GOPRI has appealed to the authorities of the Nigerian Army to set a benchmark of operation by organisations offering humanitarian services in the North East.
The group’s appeal came in the wake of allegation on Thursday, by the Nigerian Army that some organisations were sabotaging its war against terrorists in the region.
The Executive Director of GOPRI, Amb. Melvin Ejeh in a statement noted that the army must begin to apply strict guidelines that humanitarian organisations must conform with if the war against terrorism must be won in stipulated time.
Throwing its full weight behind the Nigerian Army’s position not to tolerate such acts of sabotage inimical to the fight against terrorism by any organisation or agency anymore, GOPRI asked the army not to waste time in sanctioning any such recalcitrant organization where necessary.
While also describing the development as “very disturbing”, Ejeh said that the army must come down hard on some organisations found to be compromising Nigeria’s national security efforts against terrorism.
He asked all NGOs operating in the North East to ensure they operate in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding the operations of humanitarian aid workers, and in line with the guidelines and procedures of International Humanitarian Laws as well as the Laws of Armed Conflict.
Amb. Ejeh also tasked organisations providing humanitarian support in the North East to take national interest above all.
