Crime
It was unthinkable to alleged Nigerian soldiers aborted 10,000 pregnancies- Former Theatre Commander
It was unthinkable to alleged Nigerian soldiers aborted 10,000 pregnancies- Former Theatre Commander
By: Michael Mike
The former theatre Commander of Operation Lafia Dole in the North East, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has refuted Reuters’ reports of abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, infanticide and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) against the Nigeria military, saying that it is thoughtless as a bunch of lies.
The witness who stated this in his oral testimony before the 7-Member panel Chaired by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) wondered why it is only Reuters as a media organisation that was privy to the said grave human rights violations and atrocious crimes allegedly committed by the Nigeria Armed Forces in the counter insurgency operations in the North East.
Adeniyi, who is presently the Director Directorate of Counter Terrorism at the Army Research Centre, said how possible is it that of all the various News Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, International Partners etc, it is only Reuters that publish this kind of report.
Responding to the first part of the three-tier report which focused on systematic, illegal and secret abortion programme in the North East by the military since 2013, the senior military officer said, “In Africa we don’t do such things, you will not say that because soldiers are keeping custody of these returning women you now give them injection so that the babies in their womb will be aborted.”
On the issue of Boko Haram children allegedly killing terminating pregnancies and “deleting children” believed to have been fathered by Boko Haram insurgents on the premise that they will grow into another generation of Boko Haram and carry arms against the State, Adeniyi rhetorically asked, “What is the meaning of Boko Haram babies?”
Testifying further, he disclosed that solders are not angry that they are fighting Boko Haram insurgency because they are doing their work otherwise let some of these girls whose pregnancies were reportedly terminated by soldiers come out clear and say so, that will help the panel and indeed everyone to know the truth.
According to the erstwhile Brigade Commander 37 artillery Brigade Maiduguri, Borno state it is sad that somebody clutching a cup of tea in his cozy and air-conditioned room will decide to write this kind of report that has no bearing with the situation on ground.
“The allegation that Nigerian military terminated women pregnancies is not true. Things don’t just happen in the Army. Before anything happens, resources are committed, directives are given and those asked to carry out some actions report back. Secondly if such things happen soldiers will talk among themselves or at least gossip about them. These women I hope they are alive let them come out and say this is what happened to me”, he stated..
He added that: “The military is open in what it does except in rare circumstances like operations and timing of operations, however, even the things that military is keeping open people will say it is secret. If the military buys ammunitions it is on the pages of newspapers even in the USA it is so. You will not coordinate any operation in the Army without the knowledge of the higher echelon. So the issue of troops acting outside the rules is not permitted in the Army otherwise they will be court martialled.”
Speaking further, he stated that such magnitude of infractions alleged against the military if they actually happened, they would have been in the government records and archives and people must know because there is nothing so secretive in the Nigerian Army.
“Since 1999 the military has been strictly subordinated by the democratic process therefore it will not be possible for anyone to do anything and nobody will know and administering 10,000 injections to this number of women to terminate pregnancies must be recorded somewhere.”
Besides, he recalled that even in the past most of the allegations against the Nigeria Armed Forces normally come up when the State is overpowering the insurgents, adding that it is treasonable for any soldier to commit such offences as claimed by Reuters.
He noted that: “An average Nigerian soldier is above 18 years and I did not see any Medical Officer risking his medical certificate by aborting pregnancies. These women are kidnapped after shooting and killing their family members by Boko Haram and thereafter keep them under forced protective custody even though it is wrong, so why will soldier now kill the children of such women or terminate their pregnancies.”
He said that the soldiers already know that marriage existing between the insurgents and the affected women is forced and illegal and as such would not want to subject them to further trauma by killing their children or terminating their pregnancies.
“Nobody is thinking that these women are in love with their so called Boko Haram husband and the soldiers know very well that this man is keeping these women with the use of gun thereby risking their lives because these women were not married legally”, he stated.
He, however, conceded that where there are a large number of people there will be bad eggs stressing there is no policy in the military that will permit killing of innocent civilians. “While I am not vouching for anyone there are processes that will make it impossible for you to commit such crimes”, he maintained.
The former Theatre Commander said that if the soldiers are interested in killing anyone from the camp of insurgents who are now in custody they would have started with the Boko Haram members in Army custody instead of women and children who were not bearing arms.
He said that many of the Boko Haram members who sustained injuries before they were captured are still receiving medical treatment from military hospitals and no soldier has harmed them because it is against the law to kill any combatant upon capture since he did not die in the frontline.
In furtherance of his oral evidence, he told the panel that Nigerian soldiers are not revengeful and are not wild or wired with wrong ideologies to act in such a manner that will undermine the rights of women and children in the course of military operations.
It was unthinkable to alleged Nigerian soldiers aborted 10,000 pregnancies- Former Theatre Commander
NAPTIP, ICMPD Sensitise Students on Trafficking, Safe Migration in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
About 100 secondary school students in Abuja have been sensitised on the dangers of human trafficking, violence and irregular migration during the Safe Futures Awareness Day organised to commemorate the 2026 celebration of International Women’s Day.
The one-day school outreach programme was organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons as part of efforts to educate young Nigerians on personal safety and safe migration practices.
The event, which brought together students, government officials and development partners, was designed to be interactive, accessible and informative, creating a safe space where young people could learn about trafficking risks, ask questions and gain knowledge to protect themselves and their peers.
Organisers said the outreach programme aimed to raise awareness among students about the dangers of human trafficking and how to recognise early warning signs. It also provided clear information on safe and legal migration pathways as opposed to irregular and risky routes that often expose individuals to exploitation.
Participants were further equipped with practical personal safety tips and encouraged to openly discuss issues related to trafficking, migration and online safety. The initiative also sought to build stronger awareness among students about the mandates of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the Nigeria Immigration Service in protecting young Nigerians from exploitation and ensuring safe cross-border movement.
Speaking at the programme, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, warned students to be cautious of offers promising quick wealth, overseas jobs or travel opportunities without proper documentation or verification.
According to her, traffickers often exploit the hopes and aspirations of young people by presenting deceptive opportunities that eventually lead to exploitation and loss of freedom.
“Traffickers prey on hope, desperation and lack of information. They promise fast money, travel or glamour, but what they deliver is pain, loss of freedom and danger,” she said.
Bello stressed that irregular migration may appear attractive but often exposes individuals to abuse, trafficking and broken promises.
She advised students to verify any opportunity that involves travelling abroad and to ensure such offers come with the necessary skills, valid contracts, verified employers and legal migration channels.
“If someone offers you a great job abroad, that may sound fantastic, but it must be safe. Offers that come without relevant skills, clear contracts, verified employers or legal migration channels can be traps rather than opportunities,” she cautioned.
The NAPTIP boss also reminded the students that traffickers often manipulate trust and that awareness and fact-checking remain critical in protecting themselves.
“Some of you may think it cannot happen to you because you are careful, but traffickers are clever and know how to manipulate trust. Being informed and checking facts protects you,” she added.
Bello encouraged the students to remain focused on education and skills development, assuring them that their future should never be compromised by unsafe opportunities.
“You are not commodities to be traded. Your safety, your dreams and your future are priceless. Keep learning, keep building your skills and pursue opportunities through safe and legal channels,” she said.
She also assured participants that NAPTIP, together with partners including the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the Government of the Netherlands, would continue to strengthen efforts to protect Nigerians from trafficking and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Safe Futures Awareness Day is supported by the Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Building and Environment Free of Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons in Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) project.
Through discussions, presentations and interactive sessions, students were encouraged to recognise trafficking risks, understand safe migration processes and learn practical ways to protect themselves both online and offline.
Organisers expressed optimism that the knowledge shared during the programme would empower young Nigerians to make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations without falling victim to trafficking networks.
NAPTIP, ICMPD Sensitise Students on Trafficking, Safe Migration in Abuja
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected member of Boko Haram/ISWAP in Borno while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the fighter known as Saina, was apprehended at about 4:42 p.m. on March 29 at a checkpoint in Kilo Papa area.
The arrest was carried out by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade and allied security operatives deployed at the checkpoint.
According to the sources, the suspect was intercepted while on transit to Maiduguri in a civilian vehicle and was found wearing a woodland camouflage trouser, raising suspicion.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect initially claimed to be a member of hybrid forces operating in Kumshe.
However, further questioning indicated that he is an active member of a terrorist group and was suspected to be on a reconnaissance mission.
The suspect has been handed over to military intelligence for detailed investigation.
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner and intercepted 200 rounds of ammunition in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at about 3:15 a.m. on March 29 during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of 2 Battalion and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The source said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of the suspect, who was reportedly en route to Kaduna from Jos through Dambo community in Zaria.
“Troops swiftly established a snap checkpoint at Dambo, where the suspect was intercepted in possession of 200 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,” the source said.
He added that the suspect has been handed over to ONSA for further investigation and necessary action.
The source noted that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as disrupt criminal networks operating across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
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