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Reuters Allegation, 84 persons have witnessed so far- NHRC

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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

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Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

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Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully ambushed Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno, forcing them to flee and abandoning logistics items.

A military source said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday by a combined team of 50 Task Force Battalion/24 Task Force Brigade and 134 Special Forces Battalion, supported by volunteer forces.

The source disclosed that the troops, who had laid in wait at Momoh village along the Marte–Dikwa road, made contact with the insurgents moving on bicycles at about 12:45 a.m.

“On sighting the terrorists, the troops engaged them decisively, compelling them to retreat in disarray,” the source said.

He added that troops immediately carried out exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of eight bicycles believed to have been used by the insurgents for mobility, as well as some beverages suspected to be part of their logistics supply.

The Marte–Dikwa axis has remained a critical corridor in counter-insurgency operations, with sustained military pressure limiting the activities of insurgents in the area.

The source reaffirmed the commitment of troops to sustain aggressive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of communities across Borno.

Troops ambush terrorists along Marte–Dikwa road, recover logistics in Borno

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Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

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Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau, Borno, killing several insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when terrorists advanced from multiple directions toward the base.

According to the source, troops who had taken ambush positions engaged the insurgents with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The troops demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority, effectively repelling the assault and immediately launching a counter-exploitation along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, inflicting further casualties on the fleeing insurgents,” the source said.

He confirmed that no personnel of the Nigerian military was killed during the encounter, although one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

The source added that at least eight terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while troops recovered seven AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, four RPG bombs, and a cache of ammunition.

“Blood trails were observed along the withdrawal routes, indicating that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

He further disclosed that injured personnel from the encounter were currently receiving treatment at a military medical facility in Biu.

Zagazola gathered that additional bodies of fleeing terrorists were sighted along their escape corridors toward the Timbuktu Triangle, a known insurgent enclave. We saw four more bodies,” said sources.

The military sources also revealed that abandoned weapons and casualties were observed in Garin Mallum and Garin Gajere, suggesting heavy losses suffered by the insurgents during the failed attack.

The military leadership urged to sustain the operational tempo, retain the initiative, and consolidate on the gains recorded against the insurgents.

Army troops neutralized 8 Boko Haram in Borno failed attack, recover arms

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Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

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Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria is set to sharpen its policy direction in the global space ecosystem as Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited prepares to host the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja.

The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Stephen Kwande, noting that the event will convene top government officials, regulators, and international stakeholders to shape the future of satellite governance and digital infrastructure.

Egerton-Idehen said the forum is coming at a critical time when countries around the world are strengthening their space capabilities as part of broader national development strategies.

According to her, satellite technology is increasingly linked to economic growth, national security, and digital connectivity, making strategic investments in space infrastructure a priority for many nations.

She explained that the conference is expected to attract high-level participation, including cabinet members, defence authorities, development finance institutions, and technology innovators from across Africa.

The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global space policy, pointing to her emergence as Vice Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association as a sign of the country’s expanding role in international satellite governance.

She further cited ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Kenya Space Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships within Africa’s evolving space ecosystem.

Egerton-Idehen described the upcoming satellite week as both a reflection of Nigeria’s 20-year journey in satellite development and a strategic platform to define the country’s next phase in an increasingly competitive global space economy.

Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026

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