Nigeria's defense chief accuses nations withholding arms sales over abuses of 'double standards'

Nigeria's defense chief expressed frustration Tuesday with what he called the "double standards" of some countries that won't sell his military weapons because of human rights concerns.

Gen. Christopher Musa's comment underscores one of the biggest challenges for Africa's most populous nation in combating a deadly and complex security crisis, from the Islamic militant insurgency in the northeast to the dozens of armed groups targeting travellers and communities in the northwest and central regions.

"Even with our money, it is difficult getting equipment," Musa told reporters in Nigeria's capital of Abuja, acknowledging a huge need for items such as helicopters, drones and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

"Some say human rights, some say 'You have killed' … but again, sometimes, people pointing fingers at you have done worse and yet nobody is holding them to account. It is these double standards that (are) making the world more dangerous," Musa said.

He declined to name the countries in question when asked by The Associated Press.

Nigeria's security forces for many years have faced allegations of extrajudicial killings and illegal arrests. The United States and other major arms suppliers at one point or another have withheld the sale of weapons over those accusations.

In December, at least 85 civilians were killed when a Nigerian army drone erroneously targeted a religious gathering in northwest Kaduna state, the latest of several such incidents.

Musa said Nigeria's military has continued to improve on its human rights record and is holding its personnel to account. Alleged abuses are often investigated, and a report on the December incident will be released soon, he said.

"The Nigerian Armed Forces can secure Nigeria (and) the entire region," Musa said, but added that the lack of needed weapons will continue to limit that capacity.

However, there is little evidence to show that Nigeria's military has improved on its human rights record, according to Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's director in Nigeria.

"Protecting civilians should be their priority (and) they should look at all human rights violations they have committed to ensure accountability," Sanusi said.

U.S. military support to Nigeria has at times included training on how to mitigate risks to civilians, according to a State Department statement in January on security cooperation. It said that in August, Nigeria delivered the first payment for 12 attack helicopters worth a total of $997 million.