- The investigative panel, led by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd), concluded that these allegations were false
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has commended the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency in the North East for clearing the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) of accusations related to forceful abortions and other human rights violations.
This comes after reports by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Reuters accused the armed forces of carrying out forceful abortions, as well as engaging in torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings in the region. However, the investigative panel, led by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd), concluded that these allegations were false.
In a statement released by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, on Saturday, the panel’s findings were highlighted, confirming that the AFN was not involved in the alleged infractions. The panel had been inaugurated in March 2023 by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
General Musa expressed his gratitude to the panel for its diligent work and reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to uphold human rights and maintain peace in the country. He emphasized that the AFN remains undeterred in fulfilling its constitutional role, despite any false accusations.