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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
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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GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma has visited Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State following an attack on an ECWA Church in the area.
Security sources said the visit on April 5 was aimed at conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and engaging with community stakeholders on measures to strengthen security.
During the visit, the GOC toured the affected church, surrounding areas, and access routes into and out of the village to assess operational challenges faced during response efforts.
He also met with the traditional ruler of Kachia, youth leaders, and other residents, where he commiserated with them over the attack and assured them of continued security support.
The GOC commended troops for their swift response, which led to the rescue of some hostages during the incident.
He further urged residents to strengthen local vigilance structures, including the formation of community vigilante groups to serve as first responders in emergencies.
He also advised that communities consider closer coordination among nearby churches with security coverage, while additional security measures are being implemented to enhance protection of lives and property.
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
News
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. OA Fadairo, alongside the Chief of Army Staff (Administration), Maj.-Gen. T.B. Ugiagbe, have visited troops deployed at Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State to assess ongoing operations in the area.
Security sources said the visit on April 5 was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on operational activities around the area popularly referred to as the “Mother Valley”.
The team was received by the Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Lt.-Col. J. Abu.
During the visit, the senior officers were briefed on operational successes recorded, key achievements, and challenges encountered by troops in the course of ongoing clearance operations.
They were also conducted on a guided tour of key locations around the area, including strategic observation points overlooking the “Mother Valley”, where they assessed the extent of terrain covered and areas cleared by troops.
The assessment, according to security sources, was intended to support further deployment planning aimed at denying criminal elements suspected to be linked to Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing Eastern Security Network freedom of action within the locality.
The visit was conducted without any security incident.
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a suspected insurgent and recovered several logistics items during a successful ambush operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2:30 a.m. on April 6, 2026, by an ambush team of E Company, 192 Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Pulka, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The troops, while in ambush position around Zubulum village along the Pulka–Rawa road, came into contact with suspected logistics elements of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
The troops engaged the insurgents with sustained firepower, neutralising one of them, while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.
No casualty was recorded among the troops.
Items recovered from the scene included about 350 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, a bag of salt, a roll of vaseline, slippers, detergent, sachets of milk, eight pieces of clothing materials, two microphones and four copies of the Holy Qur’an.
The sources said the recovered items indicated that the fleeing insurgents were on a logistics mission.
Troops subsequently exploited the area and returned to base at about 8:15 a.m.
The attackers are believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
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