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Reuters Allegation, 84 persons have witnessed so far- NHRC
Reuters Allegation, 84 persons have witnessed so far- NHRC
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has disclosed that 84 witnesses have so far given testimonies to the panel saddled with the duty of investigating the allegation of the international media organisation Reuters against the Nigerian Army of involvement in abortion of 10,000 pregnancies, massive killing of children and deliberate violation of rights of women and girls in its counter-insurgency operation in the North East.
The panel after visits to the North East to take testimonies and conduct on the ground investigations in the troubled region, has resumed its work in Abuja where further testimonies were being collected.
A Senior Human Rights Adviser to Chief Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), Hillary Ogbonna, who doubles as the Secretary, Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the counter Insurgency Operations in the North East, (SIIP:NE), said the Reuters Report indicated that 40 soldiers, most of whom were officers, were interviewed in the course of the reports.
He said: “December last year, Reuters published reports alleging abortion of ten thousand pregnancies, infanticide and other forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence against the Nigeria Military but the military has since denied the allegations saying it was a deliberate attempt to rubbish the counter insurgency operation.”
Ogbonna noted that the latest report highlighted how Reuters arrived at their publications and the allegations against the Nigeria Military in their counter insurgency operations in the North East.
According to him, the report which was the follow up to the first reports released by Reuters last year December was released on the 19th of April and was named Abortion Assault II.
Meanwhile, Colonel Yakubu Ibrahim of the Nigerian Defence College who was at a twine in charge of a battalion in the Northeast theatre of operation, said the allegations of Reuters was laughable.
Ibrahim said the story of Reuters is a fiction, adding that when he read the report, he thought the writer was mistaking Nigeria for somewhere else.
Also, the Force Commander, United Nations mission to South-Sudan, Major General Benjamin Sawyer urged the investigative panel to everything within its power to unravel the matter; saying the military has a key goal of combating insurgency and restoring peace in the troubled region. It therefore could not have embarked on secrete acts alleged in the Reuters report.
“What they have written is completely false, misleading and degrading to the image of Nigerians and the Nigerian Army despite what the military has done to restore normalcy in restive regions.”
Also testifying, Retired Major General Jame Komolafe, Former Commander, 21 Brigade, North East, described the Reuters report as deliberate falsehood circulated to rubbish the integrity of the military.
He added that the military was law abiding and no military medical facility will subject itself to such illicit medical practice.
The Panel, chaired by a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdul-Aboki, is officially known as Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the implementation of counter insurgency operations in the North East.
Reuters Allegation, 84 persons have witnessed so far- NHRC
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
One suspected kidnapper has been killed and an AK-47 rifle recovered during a gun battle between security operatives and armed men in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday at Tipson Village, when a combined patrol team of police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) encountered a group of gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
A security source told Zagazola that the patrol team engaged the suspects in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“As a result of the gun duel, one of the suspects was neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” the source said.
According to the source, one AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 31794, without a magazine, was recovered from the scene.
The deceased suspect was later identified as Rabiu Alhaji Shehu, a resident of Mayo Butali Village in Toungo LGA.
Zagazola gathered that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has been detailed to carry out a discreet investigation, while patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further criminal activities,” the source added.
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The police in Nasarawa State have dismantled a suspected child trafficking syndicate and rescued an eight-year-old boy who was allegedly sold for N3 million.
Sources said that the breakthrough followed information received on Jan. 14 that a missing child, Jeremiah Bikwo, was in protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Abia State Police Command.
The boy had reportedly told investigators that he was an indigene of Loko in Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
“Further investigations confirmed that the child hails from Ogobo Village in Loko. Detectives then extended their inquiries to Abia State, where it was discovered on Jan. 17 that the victim had been sold for N3 million,” the source said.
According to the source, six suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
They include Chilaka Calista Nneka, 33; Chigbu Cynthia, 36; Michael Ibeh Chioma, 52; and Victoria Ositadinma, 53 – all from Abia State – as well as Alhassan Bama, 35, of Ogobo Village, Loko LGA, and Jacob Jonah, 38, of Olegefe Village, also in Loko LGA.
Zagazola gathered that all the suspects have confessed to their roles in the trafficking of the child.
“The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate,” the source added.
End
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
By: Zagazola Makama
Police in Zamfara State have rescued two victims abducted by suspected bandits during a midnight attack on a residence in Gusau Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on Sunday at Igala Quarters, Damba area of Gusau, when a group of armed men stormed the house of one Nasiru Kurya and fired sporadically before abducting his wife, Surayya Nasiru, 30, and two other persons.
“On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men to the scene and confirmed the incident. A search operation was immediately launched across the area,” the source said.
He explained that during the combing of the vicinity and adjoining routes, the police rescued two of the abducted victims identified as Nura Sani, 23, and Abdulgafar Hassan Buba, 23, unhurt.
The source added that the rescued victims were taken to the Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, for medical checks and further care.
According to him, efforts are in top gear to rescue the remaining abducted victim from the hands of the bandits and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa
Police rescue two abducted victims in Gusau, search for others continues
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