PMG6 hosts Detainee Operations Senior Leader Conference with Nigerian Army

By LTC Eugenia GuilmartinApril 18, 2014

PMG6 hosts Detainee Operations Senior Leader Conference with Nigerian Army
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PMG6 hosts Detainee Operations Senior Leader Conference with Nigerian Army
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PMG6 hosts Detainee Operations Senior Leader Conference with Nigerian Army
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pictured from the left: MG Pat Akem, the Nigerian Provost Marshal General, and his MP Commandant, LTC Eberulu, MG Quantock, Provost Marshal General. PMG6 thanks the Nigerian Provost Marshal Officers for partnership during a Senior Leaders Conferenc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PMG6 hosts Detainee Operations Senior Leader Conference with Nigerian Army
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pictured from the left: LTC(P) Eugenia Guilmartin, MG David Quantock, Provost Marshal General, COL MG Pat Akem, Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, LTC Eberulu, MP Camp Commandant for engagements , and COL(Retired) Donald Hall, former Deputy Comm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

On 14 April 2014, at the request of AFRICOM and OSD Office of African Affairs, MG Quantock hosted a senior Detainee Operations Conference for MG Pat Akem, the Nigerian Provost Marshal General, and his MP Commandant, LTC Eberulu.

Leaders from the Office of the Provost Marshal General Staff, Army Corrections Command and CID's Criminal Investigation Task Force moderated discussions on the role of detainee operations in a counterterrorism/counterinsurgency strategy; humane care, custody and control; population management and countering extremist radicalization and recruitment in the facility; transparency and accountability; and supporting Rule of Law through building packets for prosecution in civilian courts.

"Guarding is the easy part," said MG Quantock. He emphasized that "the hard part" is for facility commanders to incorporate all enablers such as medical, legal, intelligence, and logistics as well as work with the International Committee of the Red Cross and multinational partners. He also shared with his Nigerian counterpart the value of 31E Military Occupational Specialty Soldiers (Internment/Resettlement Specialists) who hone their skills during peacetime while conducting military corrections.

The Fort Benning CID Battalion Commander, LTC Sly Wegwu, assisted with hosting to highlight Nigerian-Americans in the force. Subject matter experts from the Army Staff and subordinate organizations -- including leaders from the Office of the Judge Advocate General, G2 (Intelligence), and MEDCOM -- moderated discussions on international standards for detainee operations, effective and lawful interrogation operations, and detainee medical care. In light of recent attacks, bombings, kidnappings, and jailbreaks in Nigeria, the conference was a timely initiative to build relations with the Nigerian Army and assist stability efforts on the continent.

MG Akem said that the day was "incredibly beneficial" and thanked all of the conference participants for their candor in sharing lessons learned and their willingness to assist Nigeria

MG Akem will next travel to the US Army Military Police School and end his visit with an engagement at the US Army Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.