Panel probing Military against allegations of forced abortions and massacres of children submits report – Crime Channels
Panel probing Military against allegations of forced abortions and massacres of children submits report
The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP-North East) has cleared the Nigerian military of the grave allegations of forced abortions and massacres of children, as originally reported by Reuters.
The findings were presented on Friday to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by the seven-member panel, which was tasked with probing these claims.
Led by retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, the panel’s report was received by Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of the NHRC. In its conclusion, the panel rejected the allegations of a systematic abortion program, finding no credible evidence to support claims that the Nigerian military had engaged in mass forced abortions, including the alleged figure of 10,000. The report emphasized that the military had no agreements with civilian healthcare institutions for such practices.
While the report did not find evidence linking the Nigerian military to the allegations of abortion, it did acknowledge the testimony of witnesses who suggested that the international NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) may have been involved in abortion services at its medical facilities in the region.
Regarding the reported massacre of children, the panel similarly absolved the military of responsibility for the alleged killings in locations such as Kukawa, Dasarua, Abagano, and Marte. However, the panel did find the military culpable for the deaths of community members in the village of Adisawe, Marte Local Government Area, Borno State, on June 16, 2016, based on witness accounts and survivor testimony.
On the broader issue of violence against women, the panel found no evidence that the Nigerian military specifically targeted women either in military camps or internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. In fact, the panel noted that many women and girls in military custody or IDP camps reported receiving care from the military, with some even giving birth while in these facilities.
The panel’s report also included several recommendations for action. It called on the Federal Government to compensate victims of the killings in Abisare, Marte Local Government Area, within 90 days of receiving the report. Furthermore, it urged the NHRC to establish a compensation framework and submit it to the government within 30 days.
Additionally, the panel recommended the establishment of a Court Martial to investigate and prosecute officers from the now-defunct 8 Task Force Division in Monguno, Borno State, who were involved in the June 2016 operations in Abisare. It also suggested the retirement of those suspected officers from service.
The report ultimately called for accountability and for appropriate measures to address past violations, while also affirming that the Nigerian military was not responsible for the severe accusations initially raised by Reuters.
