The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday received a special investigative report on human rights violations alleged to have occurred during Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

The report of the independent panel chaired by a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Aboke, revealed that the military was responsible for some specific human rights violations but not as alleged.

The panel, set up by the commission, was tasked with investigating serious allegations reported by Reuters, which claimed the military conducted around 10,000 illegal abortions, massacred children, and committed other abuses.

The NHRC panel, over 12 weeks, conducted an extensive investigation, visiting four key locations – Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Abuja – and visiting multiple hospitals in Maiduguri.

Interviews were conducted with 199 witnesses, including government officials, non-state actors, and representatives from various non-governmental organisations.

Presenting the report, Human Rights Adviser to the Commission, Hilary Ogbonna, said despite efforts to include Reuters in the investigation, the news agency declined to participate or provide evidence.

Other international organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also did not cooperate with the panel.

The panel’s findings, Ogbonna revealed, challenged several of the most serious allegations. He said the claims that the military conducted a systematic abortion programme impacting an estimated 10,000 pregnancies were not substantiated, though testimony did suggest that MSF might have provided abortion services through its facilities in the region.

Regarding alleged massacres, the panel did not find evidence of mass killings in locations like Kukawa and Marte.although there were reports of isolated incidents, including infanticide and deaths in Marte Local Council in 2016.

The panel noted that contrary to allegations, evidence gathered from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps indicated that the military had supported women and children, with many receiving care and some giving birth in secure conditions under military oversight.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), while receiving the report, urged the Federal Government to act promptly on the findings to ensure accountability and address gaps identified in humanitarian responses.

“Our mandate is clear,” Ojukwu emphasised. “We are committed to justice, transparency, and holding accountable any form of human rights violation tied to conflict and insurgency.” He added that the report is not only a reflection of the NHRC’s commitment to justice but also a blueprint for reforms to embed human rights standards in military operations.

To ensure the recommendations are implemented, the NHRC has outlined a series of actions, beginning with public consultations in Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Yola.