NHRC clears Nigerian army of forced abortions, confirms mass killings in North-East
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has found the Nigerian Army guilty of mass killings during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, while clearing the military of allegations related to forced abortions in the region.
The findings were released by the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East, which had been conducting the investigation for nearly two years. The panel, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Adoke, concluded that while there was no evidence to support claims of the military carrying out 10,000 forced abortions, there was sufficient proof that the Nigerian Army was responsible for killings, including infanticide, in the village of Abisare, Borno State, on June 16, 2016.
The investigation relied on testimonies from survivors and relatives of victims, with panel Secretary Hillary Ogbonna presenting these findings. Justice Adoke emphasized that the investigation was carried out independently and without interference, ensuring its integrity and fairness.
NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu stated that the commission would ensure the implementation of the panel’s recommendations, including providing compensation to the victims’ families in Abisare. Ojukwu also reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to working with the military and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure justice is served.
This report follows a December 2022 Reuters investigation, which accused the Nigerian military of conducting a secret abortion program during counter-insurgency operations, allegedly targeting women and girls rescued from Boko Haram. While the NHRC panel found no evidence to substantiate these abortion claims, it highlighted ongoing concerns regarding human rights violations by the military in the region.
