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Reuters Allegations: Civilians We Were Accused of Killing, Saved My Life When I was Shot by Boko Haram, Major tells NHRC Panel

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Reuters Allegations: Civilians We Were Accused of Killing, Saved My Life When I was Shot by Boko Haram, Major tells NHRC Panel

By: Michael Mike

A Major with the Nigeria Army, Kehinde Aboseh has put lie to the allegations of violations of human rights in the report of Reuters of the Nigerian Armed Forces’ counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

Giving witness on Wednesday in Abuja at the sitting of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel investigating allegations of rights violations by the military in counter insurgency operations in the North-East, Aboseh it was unthinkable that Nigerian soldiers could be accused of performing 10,000 abortions and violating the human rights of not only insurgents but people in host communities, narrating how civilians saved his life three days after he was shot in the left leg by Boko Haram insurgents.

Aboseh, who was an operation officer of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at Kangaruwa, told the panel his harrowing experience the day Boko Haram insurgents attacked and overran Baga in Borno State in 2015 when asked if it was true that soldiers massacred children and other civilians as claimed by the foreign news agency, Reuters, in one of its reports on rights violation by the military in the North-East.

The Army major while claiming that he was hearing about the reports for the first time at the panel, explained that many soldiers lost their lives during the attack and what saved him was that the insurgents did not conduct mop up operation after he was shot.

He said after spending three days in the bush, he was able to see some civilians who gave him food and saved him, saying that, “It is the same civilians the report just read now claimed we killed who saved my life.”

He told the panel that as the operation officer of the quick response force of the MNJTF, he covered areas including Baga and Kukawa, adding that their duty was to protect civilians in the areas to enable them go about their farming activities without any attack from Boko Haram.

Aboseh said in situations where there were civilian casualties of insurgents’ improvised explosive devices (IEDs), soldiers always evacuate such to their medical facility for treatment, irrespective of their sex.

Although he told the panel that there were some encounters with insurgents during the period he served as operation officer, Aboseh said there was never any attack at places civilians were dwelling and “as such there were no collateral casualties. Insurgents came for us, not the civilians”.

He said contrary to Reuters’ claim that there were 60 violent events leading to over 500 deaths in Kukawa, there was nothing like that.

He told the panel headed by a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboki, that: “Whenever the enemies (insurgents) came, soldiers always evacuate civilians to safe places and guarded them there to ensure their safety,”

He further denied the reports that there were attacks on children either through invasion of homes and taking them away from their families to be massacred or poisoning.

He said: “Most of the time I was patrolling, there was never any time children were massacred there. We were friendly with the civilians.

He added that: “Based on our training, we are meant to protect the civilians and the territorial integrity of Nigeria. I don’t see any reason any soldiers will attack civilians.”

Reuters Allegations: Civilians We Were Accused of Killing, Saved My Life When I was Shot by Boko Haram, Major tells NHRC Panel

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NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality

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NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality

The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has restated the NGX’s commitment to gender equality and diversity at all levels of the organisation.

Kwairanga stated this in Lagos on Tuesday while delivering his welcome address on the occasion of the closing ceremony in honour of the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who visited the floor of the Nigerian Exchange.

He stated that the Nigerian Exchange Group as an organisation remained committed to inclusiveness that drive growth and development at all levels of the NGX’s dealings.

He stated that through such inclusive representation, the NGX has achieved near parity at the board levels of the organisation and was working to improve the representation of female employees down the line.

“As an institution committed to sustainable growth and practices, we recognise the important qualities and values that women bring to the workplace and know that they perform just as well, if not better than men.

“It is a tradition in finance and investment that can be traced to the origins of the banking, finance and investment professions when most of the trade guilds that evolved into those professions were largely composed of men.

“The tradition has persisted for hundreds of years but despite that nomenclature, let me assure you that the investment and securities sector is very welcoming to and open to city gentlemen who are female.

“Women are very well represented at all levels of our industry and I can confide in you that the next President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers is going to be a woman,” he said.

Kwairanga stated that the NGX would partner with the Ministry to accelerate progress for women’s rights and improve the lot of female gender across the country.

He commended Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her several bold and innovative initiatives that would have positive impact on women and the country as a whole.

NGX boss restates commitment to gender equality

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Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA

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Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1 Operation Wirld Stroke deployed at FOB Bilawa-Jor conducted a fighting patrol within Mbapa and Mbabuande general areas on March 23, 2026.

During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists, neutralizing one suspect while others fled.

Following a pursuit, four additional suspects were apprehended and are currently in the custody of security forces for further investigation and prosecution.

In a similar development the troops
recovered a vehicle carrying two cows abandoned by suspected cattle rustlers in Uhemba.

The incident occurred at about 0348hrs on March 24, 2026, when the troops responded to intelligence reports of rustling activities in the area.

Upon the arrival of troops, the suspects fled, leaving behind the vehicle and livestock.

The recovered vehicle and cows are now in the custody of the troops for further investigation and legal action.

Military continue to urge the public to provide timely information on criminal activities to support ongoing security efforts.

Benue troops neutralize one terrorist, arrest four suspects in Gwer West LGA

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Kogi troops neutralize suspected terrorist in Kabba/Bunu LGA

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Kogi troops neutralize suspected terrorist in Kabba/Bunu LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 12 Brigade have neutralized a suspected terrorist during a fighting patrol at Odoape–Adankolo Forest in Kabba/Bunu LGA.

The encounter occurred at about 1400hrs on March 23, 2026, when the patrol team made contact with the fleeing suspect.

Preliminary investigation identified the neutralized individual as a notorious terrorist involved in providing intelligence and targets for kidnappings, as well as participating in cattle rustling and supplying logs to terrorist groups.

The military has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols and intelligence-led operations to curb criminal activities and protect residents in the area.

Kogi troops neutralize suspected terrorist in Kabba/Bunu LGA

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