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

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
News
FG disburses N2.25bn to Gombe MSMEs

FG disburses N2.25bn to Gombe MSMEs
The Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry (BoI), has disbursed N2.25 billion to support 16,696 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Gombe.
Dr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BoI, confirmed this during a town hall meeting held in Gombe on Friday.
The meeting aimed to sensitise the Gombe business community about the N200 billion Federal Government Loan Scheme for MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises.
Olusi said the Federal Government, through BoI, had disbursed over N107 billion to nearly 900,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
“Out of this, over 16,696 beneficiaries, valued at N2.25 billion, are from Gombe State,” he said.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Maina, North East Regional Manager of BoI, Olusi described the fund as a landmark initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He stated that the initiative aims to empower MSMEs and revitalise Nigeria’s manufacturing sector as part of a broader economic growth strategy.
According to him, the scheme represents a strong investment in Nigeria’s future and a commitment to unlocking the business sector’s potential.
“MSMEs bring life to the local economy. They create jobs, provide livelihoods, and drive innovation across sectors,” Olusi noted.
He added that MSMEs account for 96 per cent of Nigerian businesses, 84 per cent of employment, and nearly half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Olusi said President Bola Tinubu envisions an economy where local industries thrive, meet global standards, and every enterprise is empowered to succeed.
BoI, he said, is working to ensure the scheme becomes a catalyst for jobs, innovation, and prosperity, especially among young entrepreneurs.
He commended Gombe State Government’s support and urged MSME owners, community leaders, and youth groups to champion the intervention.
Mr Abdulwahab Sabo, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Inuwa Yahaya on MSMEs, praised President Tinubu for positively impacting Gombe’s local economy.
Sabo stated that MSMEs remain the backbone of the state’s economy by creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship, especially among women and youths.
He said the Yahaya-led administration is committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and youths while encouraging business growth.
Abbas Abdul, Chairman of the Tea and Bread Association in Gombe, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the financial support.
Abdul, who received N50,000 six months ago, said his business has grown to N300,000, and he now plans to open a mini restaurant.
Adamu Abubakar from Dukku LGA, who engages in fabrication and welding, said the intervention saved him from high commercial bank interest rates.
Abubakar received a N5 million loan at nine per cent interest per annum and now plans to expand and employ more young people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall included a question and answer session on accessing loans and challenges faced by MSMEs.
FG disburses N2.25bn to Gombe MSMEs
News
Afenifere Warns Against Profiling Tinubu Administration, Yoruba Government

Afenifere Warns Against Profiling Tinubu Administration, Yoruba Government
… Says Such Act is Tantamount to Playing Russian Roulette with National Destiny
By: Michael Mike
Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Organisation has warned those labelling the present administration of President Bola Tinubu as Yoruba government to stop such profiling, stating that such act is tantamount to playing Russian roulette with our national destiny.
Afenifere in a statement signed on Friday by its National Organising Secretary Abagun Kole Omololu, said: “We have taken due note of the recent expose by Dr. Sandra Duru, detailing her conversation with the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, particularly her shocking admission of a clandestine plot to sabotage the administration of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which the conspirators have stereotyped as a “Yoruba government,” and thereby stir the embers of division to deny him a second term. This is no light accusation. It is a revelation that demands reflection from patriots and repudiation from all who still hold Nigeria dear.”
The group added that: “Let it be said, plainly and without ambiguity, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is not a Yoruba government. It is a Nigerian government. He did not ascend to the presidency by tribal inheritance but by democratic choice — the result of votes cast in faith by Nigerians of every tongue, creed, and religion.
“To label this administration as “Yoruba” and weaponize that label as grounds for sabotage is not only dishonest, but a vile act of tribal opportunism and sedition. We reject it utterly.
“We remind the nation: When President Muhammadu Buhari held office for eight years, no one branded his leadership as a “Fulani government.” No tribal coalition was formed to deny him a second term on the grounds of ethnicity. He was allowed to serve out his mandate in full — and rightly so. The same principle of equity and continuity must apply now. Let no one demand justice only when it suits them, but deny it when it is owed to others.”
The group adduced that: “President Tinubu shall serve his full term of eight years, by the will of the good people of this country and under the watch of the Constitution. To suggest otherwise is to play Russian roulette with our national destiny.”
Afenifere commended Dr. Duru for her expose, stating that: “Afenifere salutes Dr. Sandra Duru for her uncommon courage — for speaking truth not only to power, but to conspiracy. Her voice is a reminder that integrity still walks among us, and that silence, in the face of wickedness, is not an option for those who love this country.
“Furthermore, we condemn in the strongest terms the campaign of calumny and false allegations against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio — a man whose only crime, it appears, is that he dares to cooperate and collaborate with the President in the spirit of statesmanship and progress.
“We reject the weaponization of false allegations as political tools — especially when such weapons are aimed at innocent men, families and private lives. Politics has its place, but it must never trespass the boundaries of human decency. To smear a man’s name, fabricate charges, and unleash innuendo on his children, his home, and his honour — that is not politics. That is malice in its rawest form.”
The group further said: “We strongly decry the internationalization of fabricated domestic issues by those who authored the falsehood in the first place. This is akin to setting fire to your own seat in a cinema and running out crying “Fire! Fire!” — not out of alarm, but out of selfish ambition. It is selfishness that seeks to burn down the image of the nation to satisfy the ego of one person who believes that except she has her way, the country should not have peace.”
Afenifere warned that: “Nigeria is not a personal or tribal empire. Our nation will not bow to tribal blackmail. It will not bend to invented narratives. And it will not break under the weight of conspiracy. Let all patriots rally to the defence of truth, justice, and constitutional order. Let us remember that nations fall not only when tanks roll through streets — but also when lies, repeated often enough, begin to sound like truth.”
The group said: “We have come too far to be dragged backward by petty ambition disguised as activism. Let us reject the agents of sabotage — not because they threaten one man, but because they threaten all of us.”
Afenifere Warns Against Profiling Tinubu Administration, Yoruba Government
Crime
Police arrest 95 suspected cultists in Edo raid, recover arms and insignia

Police arrest 95 suspected cultists in Edo raid, recover arms and insignia
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Edo state has arrested 95 suspected cultists in a series of coordinated raids across the state targeting known cultist hideouts, the Command said on Friday.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the ongoing operation, which began on April 28, was carried out by combined Tactical Teams, who apprehended suspected members of three major cult groups notorious for violent crimes.
According to the police, 33 of the suspects are believed to be members of the Malphites Confraternity, 34 are linked to the Aye (Black Axe) Confraternity, while 28 others are associated with the Eiye Confraternity.
Items recovered during the operation include one single-barrel shotgun with four live cartridges, and two Malphite-branded caps.
The Police said that the suspects are being charged with multiple felonies, including cult-related murders and violent attacks in recent weeks.
The police sources assured the public that the crackdown will continue until all criminal elements are rooted out, warning that there will be no hiding place for cultists and their sponsors in the state.
Police arrest 95 suspected cultists in Edo raid, recover arms and insignia
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