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Panel Absolves Military of Reuters’ Allegation of 10,000 Forced Abortion, Children Massacre

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Panel Absolves Military of Reuters’ Allegation of 10,000 Forced Abortion, Children Massacre

By: Michael Mike

The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP-North East) on Friday submitted its report to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The panel was set up by NHRC to investigate Reuters’ allegations of human rights violation in the North Eastern region of the country by the Nigerian Army in its ongoing operations against insurgency in the area.

In the report of the seven-member panel chaired by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboki, received by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, the Nigerian military was absolved of the allegation of forced illegal abortions and massacre of children as alleged by Reuters, a foreign media agency.

According to the report presented by the General Counsel to the Panel, Mr. Hillary Ogbona, who is also the Senior Human Right Adviser to the NHRC boss: “The panel did not find evidence that the Nigerian Armed Forces committed a systematic, secret, or policy-driven abortion in the North-East to the tune of 10,000 abortions”.

The report said, the Panel found that, the Nigerian military had no agreement with any civilian healthcare institution to forcibly and illegally terminate pregnancies in the North-East.

Part of the report stated that: “There was no evidence before the panel to prove that. The panel found probability, based on witness testimony, that the NGO, Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) was engaged in abortion procedures for some years in the North East through its medical facilities that it operated”.

For smuggled, poisoned, and shot, which was also alleged by Reuters, Ogbona said, the panel did not find the Military culpable for the massacre of children in Kukawa, in Dasarua, in Abagano, and in many parts of Marte.

The report said, the panel found the military culpable of infanticide and the killing of community members in a village of Adisawe, in Marte local government area of Borno State, on the 16th of June, 2016, and that, the panel received witness testimonies, including those of survivors and relations of the deceased.

In terms of war on women, the SIIP-North-East also absolved the military, stating that the panel did not find that the Nigeria Armed Forces specifically targeted women in military camps or in IDP camps, adding that it did not find evidence to that effect.

“Rather, the panel found evidence from military sources and civilian sources, especially women and girls who are still in military custody and who have left internal displaced camps, that the military took care of them while they were in camps. A lot of them gave birth to children while they were in camps as well, and we saw evidence of all of those”, the report added.

The panel, in its recommendations contained in the report urged the Federal Government to compensate the victims of the killings in Abisare in Marte Local Government within 90 days of the receipt of the report.

It also recommended that the NHRC should work out a compensation regime and recommend same to the Federal Government within a period of 30 days from the receipt of the report and that, Nigerian Armed Forces and other appropriate authorities to constitute a Court Martial to prosecute suspected officers and men of the Defunct 8 Task Force Division, Monguno who were operational in Abisare, Marte Local Government of Borno State in June 2016 or other units of the Nigerian Armed Forces who were operational at the location within the same period.

The Panel also recommended the retirement of suspected officers and men of the Defunct 8 Task Force Division, Monguno who were operational in Abisare, Marte in June 2016 or other units of the Nigerian Armed Forces who were operational at the location within the same period.

It advised the Borno state Government to provide basic social facilities such as schools, hospitals and recreational centres in the recovered communities, especially in Kukawa and environs, ensuring
that children in the communities have access to basic education and adequate social development.

It also advised that the Borno state government develop and execute within six months of the submission of the report, in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the UN System, a contextual standard of assessment of security situations in post-conflict communities prior to initiating the return of communities as well as a comprehensive economic and social empowerment programme for women recovering from conflict in the state.

The panel also recommended the strengthening of the mandate of the NHRC to play an oversight, monitoring and reporting roles in integrating human rights principles in the counter-insurgency operations and the rehabilitation, detention and prosecution of terrorist suspects, among others.

The Government and Military leadership, the report said, should implement robust protections for whistle-blowers who report human rights abuses within the military, ensuring they are safeguarded from retaliation and that, the Nigerian Military should ensure that all military operations are conducted without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other statuses, respecting the human rights of all individuals involved.

Ogbona said, the panel’s report which took 18 months of thorough investigations, testimonies of 199 witnesses and visit to 20 field locations to produce would not only stand the test of time in terms of its thoroughness, but also in terms of the fact that the panel made almost good of a hopeless situation.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the panel, Justice Abdu Aboki, said the challenges of conducting an investigation in a volatile environment as well as the non-appearance of Reuters and a few other key institutions made the Panel worked longer and more extensively, broadening its investigations and reach.

He revealed that the reporr include analyses of documentations and records received from state hospitals and the Nigerian military and several aspects of the investigative processes that would be instrumental in framing human rights accountability mechanism as well as the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

Aboki, who said the report is informative and would serve as a guide or future reference material for future Panels, highlighted the non-appearance of Reuters and the lack of cooperation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) as major challenges faced by the panel in the course of its investigation.

He called for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report by the NHRC, the Federal and State governments, the Nigerian military, UN Agencies and NGOs working in the region.

Receiving the report, the NHRC boss said, the report embodies months of dedicated work in response to allegations of gross violations of human rights against the Nigerian Armed Forces reported in December 2022 by Reuters.

In the three-part report, he said, Reuters alleged that the Nigerian Military conducted illegal and forced termination of 10,000 pregnancies, extrajudicial killing of children, and the violation of the rights of women through targeted attacks during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

In response to the grave concerns, the NHRC, empowered by Sections 5 and 6 of the NHRC Act which gives it the mandate to receive complaints, investigate human rights violations in Nigeria and make appropriate determination and compensation to victims of human rights violations, established the independent panel to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation.

The work of the panel, he said reflects a major contribution by the NHRC in ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and uphold human rights standards in Nigeria and assured of the commitment of the Commission to justice, transparency, and accountability to any form of human rights violation associated with conflict and insurgency.

He said, the findings and recommendations of the Panel, which offer both clarity and a call for action will instigate and inspire multi-stakeholder partnerships in humanitarian response in the North-East.

“They underscore the complexities and human costs of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria’s North-East and provide a blueprint for meaningful reform. They highlight the urgent need for transparency within our security forces and the establishment of mechanisms to protect civilians.

“As part of our commitment to ensuring the panel’s recommendations are fully realized, the NHRC will be embarking upon series of public consultations and conversations on the report.

“The first of this series will be taking place in Maiduguri next week. We plan to host similar forums in Damaturu and Yola. In December, NHRC plans to host a Civil-Military Forum where the report and its implementation strategies will be discussed with all stakeholders.

“Additionally, the NHRC will work closely with military and medical institutions to foster respect for human rights in humanitarian situations. The NHRC is committed to ensuring that citizens of Abisari community identified in the report receive compensation and will continue to work with the military and the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that justice is served.

“The NHRC will liaise with our UN partners to propose human rights-based programs focused on the resettlement and reintegration of returnees and vulnerable populations, including children affected by conflict”, he added.

Ojukwu also said, the Commission is dedicated to actively monitoring progress and ensuring that every recommendation of the panel is pursued to the fullest.

It would be recalled that, in December 2022, Reuters published “Nightmare in Nigeria,” a three-part investigative report alleging series of systematic gross human rights violations by the Nigerian military during counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region.

These violations, the Reuters said, are targeted women and children, involving mass abortions and systematic killings of women and children.

Panel Absolves Military of Reuters’ Allegation of 10,000 Forced Abortion, Children Massacre

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MD Global Links felicitate with Governor Buni at 57

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MD Global Links felicitate with Governor Buni at 57

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of A.H. Yakubu Global Links Limited, Alhaji Yakubu Yunusa (alias Alhaji Bakoji), has delightedly extended his heartfelt felicitations to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Rt. Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, on the occasion of his 57th birthday on Tuesday, 19th November, 2024.

Alhaji Yakubu Yunusa was a renowned transporter and also a member of the National Road Transport Owners (NARTO), who had over 170 trailers. started this in an interview with newsmen in Potiskum.

He said, on behalf of my family, we join your family and well-wishers in celebrating your exceptional leadership and progressive governance that have greatly transformed Yobe State.

According to him, under his leadership, Yobe State has witnessed unprecedented growth and development in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and agriculture.

Alhaji Yakubu Yunusa maintained that his vision for a prosperous and sustainable state has resonated with the people, leading to improved living standards and economic empowerment.

“As you mark this special day, we pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) continues to bless you with good health, wisdom, and the strength to achieve even greater milestones for Yobe state and Nigeria.” Alhaji Yunusa added.

He further said, “Your contributions to the unity and success of All Progressives Congress (APC) during your reign as the caretaker chairman remain invaluable, and we people of Yobe state are proud to have you as a steadfast pillar of the APC.

Alhaji Yunusa prays to Almighty Allah (SWT) to give you many more years in good health, strength, and wisdom to continue serving our good and humanity generally, and may you live long to continue touching the lives of mankind. Ameen.

MD Global Links felicitate with Governor Buni at 57

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Nine Years After: Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu pens down a heartfelt tribute to his late Father, Prince Abubakar Audu

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Nine Years After: Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu pens down a heartfelt tribute to his late Father, Prince Abubakar Audu

The Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu on Friday, November 22, penned down a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Prince Abubakar Audu in commemoration of the 9th year of his sudden exit from this world, describing his loss as one of the most unprecedented events in the history of the political landscape in Nigeria.

Prince Audu in a tribute released on behalf of the Audu family reads “Dear Dad, It is another November 22, a day we celebrate your life and times after you submitted your life to the will of Almighty Allah in one of the most unprecedented circumstances in the history of the political landscape in Nigeria. We will forever live to remember November 22, 2015, the day after the drums of celebrations that rang following your imminent victory in the Kogi State Gubernatorial elections as Governor-elect went silent and were quickly replaced by the wailings of your beloved people following your tragic and sudden death.

Adoja Edee, as I pen down this piece from my heart, nine years after your departure from this world, I find myself enveloped in a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for your life and all you stood for. You were not only my father but a remarkable statesman, a visionary politician, who laid a solid foundation for Kogites, with legacies that you will forever be remembered for in àné Igala, Kogi State and the country at large.

With every sense of responsibility and duty, my heart is crammed with joy in seeing how your vision have blossomed for the betterment of our dear state, Kogi and Nigeria at large. The country is currently undergoing a tough but necessary and unprecedented transformation under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), “Renewed Hope” Agenda birthed and championed by your own dear brother and friend, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, with whom you both shared a vision for a new and greater Nigeria. I have no doubt that Mr President’s ongoing policies and bold reforms will transform Nigeria into an African and global economic powerhouse in the near future.

My father, a giant amongst men, was a beacon of hope and progress for the hopeless in Kogi State, a political gladiator, and a true Nationalist. Your predecessors have not fallen short of your dream for Kogi State, building on your transformative initiatives that laid the groundwork for sustainable development.

You will forever be remembered as an icon who championed initiatives that transformed Kogi State; institutions of learning like the Kogi State University, Anyigba, (now Prince Abubakar Audu University); Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; College of Education, Ankpa, which have all already produced great leaders of today, as well as health institutions, such as the Eye Specialist Hospital in Ogbonicha and other state-of-the-art infrastructures you brought to the state including the Commissioners Quarters and the House of Assembly Complex both in Lokoja to mention a few.

Beyond your political accomplishments, you were a man of principle, integrity, and compassion, with the uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life, which helped shape and prepare me for service to country under the leadership of President Tinubu.

As we commemorate your life almost a decade after you left us, we reflect on your leadership, which was characterised by unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the notion that governance is not a privilege but a responsibility to the people. Though you are no longer physically present, your spirit lives on in the hearts of Kogites and Nigerians. Continue to Rest in Peace, Daddy,” Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu wrote

Nine Years After: Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu pens down a heartfelt tribute to his late Father, Prince Abubakar Audu

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VP Shettima: Nigerian Youths Indispensable To Repositioning Africa

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VP Shettima: Nigerian Youths Indispensable To Repositioning Africa

*** Says they’re the fulcrum of President Tinubu’s development agenda

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to youth empowerment as the foundation of Nigeria’s development strategy and Africa’s broader integration goals.

He, therefore, called for a unified effort to bridge generational divides in Nigeria, emphasising the pivotal role the youths play in shaping Nigeria and the continent’s future.

Speaking on Thursday during the 2024 Youth Legacy Conference at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Shettima noted that the youths are the fulcrum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda with their prominent role in driving national progress.

VP Shettima who was represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said, “There is no nation that can prosper without investing in its youth. They are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are also the anchors of today.

“President Tinubu is deeply committed to ensuring that the youth not only have a voice but are active participants in shaping our collective destiny.”

The event’s theme, “Shaping Africa’s Future with AfCFTA and Agenda 2063,” highlighted the alignment between Nigeria’s youth-focused initiatives and Africa’s development blueprints.

Senator Shettima noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Agenda 2063 present vast opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

“AfCFTA is not just about trade; it is about creating opportunities for our youth to connect, innovate, and lead Africa into a new era of prosperity. Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated and prosperous Africa, but it is the energy, creativity, and resilience of our youth that will transform this vision into reality,” he said.

The Vice President commended initiatives like the Mandela Washington Fellows for their exemplary leadership and service, adding: “You have shown us what is possible when the youth are given the tools to succeed. Your work in education, healthcare, and social justice serves as an inspiration for generations to come.”

A key highlight of the conference was the launch of the Ubuntu Trade App, a digital innovation designed to bolster Africa’s trade integration and market access for young entrepreneurs.

Describing it as “a testament to the genius of our young minds,” Shettima lauded the app as a critical step in advancing Africa’s digital transformation.

“This app embodies the spirit of innovation that defines our youth. From agriculture to technology, our young people have consistently demonstrated their ability to create solutions that reshape industries and connect markets. Nigeria’s youths are the ladder upon which we climb to lead in technology, agriculture, and the creative industries,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President also emphasised the administration’s deliberate inclusion of youth in governance and critical sectors.

He stressed: “Our engagement with the youth is not symbolic; it is a necessity. By infusing fresh ideas into seasoned experience, we create a synergy that strengthens our nation. You are not spectators; you are architects of the future. This government is your partner in progress, and together, we will shape a legacy that future generations will be proud of.”

Declaring the conference officially open, Shettima expressed confidence that the deliberations and initiatives launched would drive sustainable growth for Nigeria and Africa. “The future is bright because you are in it,” he added.

In his goodwill message, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, urged the association to build a network of a free trade area as a way of ideas and human connections between all the people of the African continent.

Mills, represented by the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America, David J. Greene, commended Vice President Shettima for his tremendous support towards the successful hosting of the event.

He said the fellowship provides leadership training, and networking opportunities for young Africans working to fast-track economic growth and prosperity to strengthen democratic institutions and to enhance peace security in communities, particularly Nigeria and across Africa.

“Over the past decades, the programme has facilitated the emergence of employment and promotion of thousands of young Africans,” the diplomat said.

Earlier, the Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, Hajiya Hauwa Liman, said the event is a testament to the federal government’s shared commitment to advancing Africa’s development by empowering its greatest resource—its youth.

She pointed out that the theme of this year’s conference speaks directly to the vision of a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa driven by its people.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a unique opportunity to redefine Africa’s economic trajectory, while Agenda 2063 provides the roadmap for the Africa we want—a continent of shared prosperity, unity, and innovation.

“Today, as we launch the Ubuntu Trade App, we mark a significant milestone in fostering intra-African trade, empowering young entrepreneurs, and creating access to markets that transcend borders.

“As we gather here, let us remember that Africa’s future rests in our hands. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, we have a demographic advantage that, if harnessed effectively, can position our continent as a global powerhouse,” she further noted.

In her welcome address, President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN), Ms Farida Yahaya, said the association has made significant strides in addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.

She explained that the essence of the association lies in its commitment to the principle of “service before self,” adding that the alumni have exemplified this ideal by dedicating their time, energy, and resources to uplift their communities and nation.

She stated: “We were inspired, equipped, and empowered by the Mandela Washington Fellowship to become catalysts for positive change. Today, as we reflect on this remarkable decade, we are awed by the collective impact of our alumni.

“Our association has been more than just a network; it has been a movement. We have come together, driven by a shared passion for service and a commitment to making a difference.

“We have broken barriers, challenged the status quo, and made significant strides in addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges. From grassroots initiatives to national policy reforms, our impact has been far-reaching and enduring.”

The President said that the association remains steadfast in its mission to create a better Nigeria by leveraging its network, skills, and resources to drive sustainable development, foster social cohesion, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

“We must also think beyond ourselves and consider the legacy we want to leave for future generations by nurturing young talent, providing mentorship, and fostering a culture of innovation,” she said.

Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Engr. Aminu Maida, and Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, among others.

VP Shettima: Nigerian Youths Indispensable To Repositioning Africa

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