Nigeria’s top military commander has issued a stark warning against political manipulation and sectarian violence, drawing sharp lessons from the 1994 genocide during an official visit to Rwanda.
Lessons from the Kigali Memorial Centre
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu toured the Kigali Memorial Centre, which preserves the remains of roughly 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The delegation also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Rwanda’s capital.
The Danger of Unchecked Rhetoric
According to a statement released by Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Appolonia Anele, the stops highlighted how quickly ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, and divisive rhetoric can escalate into mass violence when left unchecked by responsible leadership.
A Call to Rise Above Differences
“Rwanda’s tragic history reinforces the need for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences, reject hate speech, and embrace tolerance, patriotism and collective responsibility for national peace and stability,” Lieutenant General Shaibu stated during the tour.
Civil-Military Cooperation Highlighted in Rwanda Museum Visit
The delegation’s itinerary focused heavily on the mechanics of civil-military cooperation and early conflict prevention. At the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, officials examined exhibits detailing how the Rwandan Patriotic Army halted the 1994 atrocities.
Securing the Nation Through Unity
Colonel Anele noted that the museum displays offered critical lessons regarding civilian protection, decisive state intervention, and the necessity of upholding human rights during security crises.
“The experience reinforces the imperative for Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences and unite with security agencies against threats to national peace and stability,” the army public relations statement added.
