ABUJA – Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded its investigation into allegations of a secret military abortion program and child killings in the northeast, finding no evidence to support the claims.
The investigation, which spanned 18 months, involved interviews with 199 witnesses, including military personnel, former militants, Boko Haram survivors, and local and international aid workers. The panel, headed by retired Major General Letam Wiwa, also interviewed top military officials, including the current and former Chiefs of Defence Staff and Army Staff.
The NHRC’s report, released on Friday, states that there is no evidence to suggest the military conducted a secret abortion program to terminate pregnancies of women and girls rescued from Boko Haram captivity. The commission also found no proof of the military deliberately targeting children, although it acknowledged an incident in Abisari in 2016 where 18 people, including women and children, were killed in a military operation.
The allegations of a secret abortion program and child killings were first reported by Reuters in December 2022. The news agency’s reporting, based on witness accounts and documentation, claimed that the military had terminated thousands of pregnancies and killed numerous children in the course of its counterinsurgency operations.
However, the NHRC’s investigation found that medical records from five civilian hospitals in the northeast showed fewer than 6,000 abortions between 2013 and 2022, with no evidence of forced or illegal abortions in military or civilian facilities. The commission also cited challenges in accessing military records, including personnel postings and hospital data.
Reuters declined to appear before the NHRC panel, citing its commitment to independence and impartiality. The news agency stated that it stands by its reporting, which it maintains meets its standards for accuracy and impartiality.
The NHRC’s findings have been met with mixed reactions. While the commission has been criticized by some for its past performance, it has also issued reports critical of the government. The Nigerian military has denied the allegations from the outset and has not yet commented on the NHRC’s findings.
