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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
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have stormed the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising 20 terrorists and destroying the stronghold.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the decisive, well-coordinated offensive followed credible intelligence that over 100 bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and logistics movements.
According to the source, the troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, conducted week-long surveillance before moving to intercept the terrorists.
“Contact was established on Jan. 31, 2026, as the terrorists advanced. They engaged the troops in a fierce firefight and attempted a flanking manoeuvre, but this was repelled by superior firepower,” the source said.
He said 20 terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Follow-up operations, the source added, were ongoing to assess further casualties and recover additional items.
The raid yielded significant recoveries, including assorted weapons and ammunition, bicycles, food supplies, medical drugs, clothing, detergents and other logistics materials.
“The Gwaska Dan Karmi camp was completely destroyed,” the source said.
He noted that troops remained highly motivated, with combat efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Police Command, have rescued an abducted man in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that the incident occurred on Jan. 29, when armed bandits invaded the residence of Abdullahi Isah Nagari on the outskirts of Tsafe town and abducted him to an unknown destination.
According to the source, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tsafe Division promptly mobilised to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
“During a thorough search of the surrounding bushes, the victim was successfully located and rescued. He was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand,” the source said.
The sources added that the victim was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was receiving medical attention.
The source said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while security patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further occurrences.
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior official of the United States Government, Nick Checker, is travelling to Bamako to convey Washington’s respect for Mali’s sovereignty and explore a new course in bilateral relations between the two countries.
This is according to a statement issued by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
The statement said Checker, a Senior Bureau Official at the State Department, would engage Malian authorities on ways to move past previous policy missteps and rebuild cooperation.
It added that the United States was looking forward to discussing next steps for enhancing U.S.–Mali relations, particularly in the areas of security and economic development.
“The United States also plans to consult with other governments in the region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, on shared security and economic interests,” the statement said.
It noted that the visit underscored Washington’s desire to strengthen engagement with Sahelian countries amid ongoing regional security and political challenges.
The Bureau said the discussions would focus on practical ways to promote stability, respect for sovereignty and mutually beneficial cooperation across the Sahel.
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold
Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara
U.S. official heads to Mali to reset ties, boost Sahel cooperation
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