Army chief hails outcome of investigative panel on rape, forced abortions in North East

The Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa has hailed the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency in the North East for exonerating the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) from indictments over forceful abortions in the North East.

The International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC and Reuters had accused the armed forces of perpetrating forceful abortions and other infractions in the North East.

Brigadier General, Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information in a statement on Saturday said the outcome of the investigation revealed that the report of the panel specifically stated that the allegations of systematic abortions, torture, rape and extra-judicial killings levelled against the AFN were false.

The statement said the CDS commends the 7-man panel led by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) for painstakingly carrying out a thorough job since its inauguration in March 2023 by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.

“Gen Musa wishes to seize this opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the defence of human rights and resolve to ensure peace reigns in the country.

He said, “No amount of false accusations will distract the AFN from exercising its constitutional mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.”