- The NHRC accused the Nigerian Army of mass killings during counter-insurgency operations, while clearing them of forced abortion allegations
- An investigative panel found no evidence of a secret abortion program but held the military responsible for infanticide in Borno State
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an indictment against the Nigerian Army, accusing it of mass killings during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, while clearing the military of allegations of forced abortions.
These findings were presented on Friday at NHRC headquarters in Abuja, following a nearly two-year investigation by the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East.
Led by retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Adoke, the seven-member panel found no evidence to support accusations that the military had conducted a secret abortion program involving 10,000 terminations.
However, it held the military responsible for infanticide and the killing of community members in Abisare, Marite Local Government Area, Borno State, on June 16, 2016. Panel Secretary Hillary Ogbonna shared testimonies from survivors and relatives of the deceased to substantiate these findings.
Justice Adoke emphasized that the investigation was conducted independently, free from external influence, and grounded in fairness and justice.
NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu announced that the commission would initiate public consultations to ensure that recommendations are implemented.
He pledged compensation for affected individuals from the Abisari community and promised collaboration with the military and the Office of the Attorney General to pursue justice.
In December 2022, Reuters had reported alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military during its operations, including claims of secret, systematic abortions of pregnancies of Boko Haram captives, without the women’s consent. However, the NHRC panel found no substantiating evidence of these allegations.
The commission intends to hold a civil-military forum to discuss the report’s findings and outline steps to prevent similar incidents.