Witness disproves Reuters report on illegal abortions in North East

A former Commander of 21 Armoured Brigde in Bama, Borno, retired Maj.-Gen. James Akomolafe has rejected an investigative report published by Reuters revealing that the Nigerian Military ran a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the North East.

Akomolafe, made this known while testifying in Abuja before the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Implementation of Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-North East).

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) set up the SIIP-North East to probe the allegation of an elaborate secret abortion programme operated by the Nigerian military in the North-east.

He said that, it was not possible for any military personnel under his command to sneak out to have any business with civilians, including rendering any medical services without his knowledge.

Akomolafe also dismissed Reuters’ second report of smothering, poisoning and shooting of children alleged to be fathered by members of Boko Haram sect for the purpose of stopping the regeneration of the sect members.

“The army can’t be responsible for such atrocious acts as reported by Reuters. Where was Rueters when my troop were ambushed and attacked in the said episode by Boko Haram members around Banki junction in Maidugur.

”The troop escaped for safety although they suffered some casualties including the killing of an officer even after the insurgents made him to put a call across to his other colleagues, bidding them farewell and that was the last they heard from him” he told the panel.

The incident, according to the witness, did not provoke the troop under his command to act outside their professional rules of engagement .

Akomolafe pointed out that by military training, solders are not permitted to shoot carelessly but must have a definite target.

The witness also denied any involvement of soldiers in any sexual and gender-based violence.

”Nigeria has a professional army and will not deviate from the normal and standard practices,” he said

The witness, who was also the Officer commanding VIII Task Force Division in Monguno, Borno told the panel that it would be insensitive on the part of the troop who relate with the civilians in the most cordial manner to suddenly turn round and unleash attacks on them in the name of fighting insurgency.

”We did not attend to any civilians medically. All cases of wounded civilians, arrested or surrendered were taken by ambulances to the Seven Division in Maiduguri.

”Surrendered or captured combatants are usually taken to 7 Division detention centre,” he said

Also testifying, the Force Commander UN military mission to South Sudan, Maj,-Gen. Olufemi Sawyer and retired Maj.-Gen. A.A. Nani in separate testimonies denied the involvement of the military in any of the Reuters allegations.

They stressed the professional nature of the Nigerian army, saying that such improper acts as reported by Reuters were unknown to the military.

After the testomines, the Secretary of the panel, Mr Hilary Ogbonna informed members of a fourth report by Reuters’ still alleging “abortion assaults” against the military.

Supreme reports that members of the panel are retired Justice Abdu Aboki, Supreme Court justice ( Chairman), Ms Kemi Okonyedo, representing Women Rights Organisation, Mr Azubuike Nwankenta, representing NBA

Others are Maj.-Gen. Letam Wiwa (Military Law and Intelligence Expert), Dr. Maisaratu Bakari (Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology (Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital Yola).

Others are Dr Fatima Akilu (Humanitarian Expert, representing Civil Society), and Ms. Halima Nuradeen (Psychologist, representing Youths.

Supreme reports that Reuters in December 2022, alleged that the Nigerian military conducted a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country’s north-east, ending at least 10,000 pregnancies among victims of insurgency.

Lucky Irabor, the chief of defence staff, had, however, denied the allegations while describing the investigation as “outright nonsense”.

Supreme reports that the panel is to receive memorandum from individuals and organisations with interest in the subject matter of the mandate of the SIIP north-east, especially human rights, security and humanitarian organisations working in the north-east.

The panel is also to make appropriate determinations as to culpability of individuals or institutions as may be deemed necessary in each circumstance. (Section 5(j) of the NHRC Act 2010).

Supreme also reports that the panel is to make determination as to the damages or compensation payable in relation to any violation of human rights where it deems this necessary in the circumstances of the case (sec. 6(e) of the NHRC Act, 2010).

The panel will refer any matter of human rights violations requiring prosecution to the attorney-general of the federation or of a state, as the case may be. (Section 5(p) of the NHRC Act, 2010).