INDEPENDENT PANEL EXONERATES NIGERIAN MILITARY OVER FORCED ABORTION CLAIMS
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The independent panel established by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded its investigation into allegations that the Nigerian Military conducted forced abortions on women impregnated by Boko Haram terrorists, ultimately clearing the military of any wrongdoing.
The panel, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, was set up on February 8, 2023, to address a report by Reuters that claimed the military had conducted approximately 10,000 forced abortions between 2013 and 2021 as part of a covert effort to prevent children fathered by terrorists. The panel conducted sessions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
The Nigerian military had previously denied the allegations, describing the claims as unfounded and “wicked,” citing its track record in peacekeeping missions globally, including in Liberia and Sierra Leone, without similar accusations. The military accused Reuters of attempting to demonize it and questioned the credibility of the news agency’s report, describing it as a “mining of lies.”
During his appearance before the panel, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, dismissed the allegations as “shocking and spurious.” He challenged Reuters to present any military officers who allegedly provided testimony for the report, offering immunity to any officer willing to testify. Irabor asserted that the military’s operations follow strict protocols, and there were no programs targeting children born to Boko Haram insurgents or their mothers.
General Irabor reiterated that, to his knowledge, there were no verbal or written orders authorizing such actions within the military hierarchy and that the military maintained a professional and disciplined approach to all operations.
The Justice Aboki-led panel expressed gratitude to General Irabor for his cooperation in the investigation and commended the transparency of the military’s response.
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