NHRC panel finds no evidence of forced abortions by Nigerian military

An independent panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has cleared the Nigerian military of allegations that it carried out forced abortions on women impregnated by Boko Haram terrorists.

The panel, chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, was formed in response to a 2022 Reuters report that claimed the military had conducted approximately 10,000 forced abortions between 2013 and 2021 as part of efforts to prevent the birth of children fathered by insurgents.

The panel, which conducted hearings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, concluded that there was no evidence to support the allegations.

The military had previously denied the accusations, calling them unfounded and accusing Reuters of spreading misinformation.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, had also dismissed the allegations as false, challenging Reuters to present evidence or testimonies to substantiate the claims.

General Irabor, who appeared before the panel, said that there were no orders or programmes within the military targeting children born to Boko Haram insurgents.

The panel commended the military’s transparency during the investigation, expressing appreciation for General Irabor’s cooperation.