National News
REUTERS’ REPORT: NHRC PANEL VISITS BORNO STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

REUTERS’ REPORT: NHRC PANEL VISITS BORNO STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
…10,000 Abortions Alarming-MD
By Michael Mike
The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East (SIIP-NE) has visited the Borno State Specialist Hospital as part of its fact-finding missions into alleged human rights violations perpetrated by the Nigerian Military as contained in a three-part report released by Reuters, an international News Agency, in late 2022.
The 7-man Panel Chaired by a retired Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki (Rtd), engaged the health management team of the hospital in a series of questions relating to the allegations contained in the Reuters report.
The Medical Director (MD) of the hospital Dr. Baba Shehu Mohammed who was interrogated by the Panel’s lead counsel Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, expressed shock at the number of alleged abortions conducted on women and girls as related by Reuters in its report.
The MD said that Hippocratic Oath taken by every medical doctor the world over prohibits unprofessional practices including abortions. He noted that abortion is a form of killing pointing out that “even where it involves chicken if a man kills up to 10,000 of them people around him will know and talk about it, let alone 10, 000 pregnancies of women and girls allegedly done since 2013 and nobody heard about it until in 2022 when Reuters’ released the report?” this is incomprehensible he added.

The Medical Director also expressed shock over Reuters’ alleged Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) including the massacre of children by the Nigerian Military in the course of Counter Insurgency Operations going on in the North East. He said the Military is expected to provide protection for victims, especially women and children, why then will they turn around to kill the children? “Even Moses was brought up by Pharaoh who was a tyrant, why will anyone kill a child?” he questioned.
On the alleged involvement of the Hospital in the “secret abortion programme” also alleged by Reuters, Dr. Mohammed said, “No public hospital will do that and if such a thing really happens, it will be easy to get the survivor”. He said the hospital had received reports of several deaths occasioned by insurgency but none from abortions and massacre of children by the Military as alleged.
The MD however conceded that the Hospital manages miscarriages and allows medical abortions which he noted are done to save the lives of women who while pregnant go through some serious health condition including cardiovascular disorder; however this must be after thorough consultations involving several doctors who must agree to the termination of pregnancy as a last resort to save the life of the mother, he emphasised.
This position was corroborated by other Heads of Departments and critical staff of the Hospital, all saying that there have not been any sharp practices and unprofessional conducts as alleged in Reuters’ report.
For instance, the immediate past MD, Dr. Laraba Bello told the panel that at the peak of the insurgency, the hospital was receiving a lot of casualties including women and girls and these are not for abortions, saying that abortion is not allowed in the hospital.
On the issue of the woman who was brought into the hospital dead resulting from bleeding from abortion and deposited in the mortuary by the hospital guard, as also contained in the Reuters report, the former MD said the hospital guard does not have any business handling patients or corpses as that was not his line of duty, “the hospital guard only controls crowd and persons from getting access to prohibited areas.
On this allegation, the Hospital Mortician, Mallam Ahmadu Mohammed stated that the Hospital does not accept corpses without asking for the death certificate and Hospital card of the victims (for in-patients) and that for corpses coming from outside, appropriate documentation must be made in the Hospital before the Morticians accept such corpses for keep in the Hospital Morgue.
Other personnel who gave oral evidence to the panel are Dr. Umar U. Zarah HOD and Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Juliana Judiufa HOD, Health Information Management, and Pharmacist Alheri Mbiting HOD, Department of Pharmacy.
National News
We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged
By: Michael Mike
Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End
National News
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
National News
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
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