NHRC In December 2022, Reuters published a report that sent shockwaves through Nigeria and beyond, alleging that the Nigerian military had conducted a covert, large-scale forced abortion campaign targeting women in the north-east. According to the report, this program, purportedly spanning from 2013 to 2021, coerced or forced at least 10,000 women—many of whom were impregnated by Islamist insurgents—into undergoing abortions.
The report also claimed that children had been killed as part of a broader anti-insurgency strategy, sparking outrage among human rights groups, local activists, and international observers. The Nigerian government and military swiftly rejected the allegations as baseless and defamatory, but the public outcry and international concern led to the establishment of an independent panel under the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
In February 2023, the NHRC assembled a panel of experts, led by former Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, to investigate these serious claims. Tasked with conducting a fair and thorough inquiry, the panel held hearings in Abuja and Borno State, interviewing witnesses, collecting testimonies, and examining military practices in areas deeply affected by Nigeria’s fight against insurgency.
After nearly a year of intensive investigation, the NHRC’s panel announced its findings, exonerating the Nigerian military of conducting a systematic forced abortion program in the north-east. The panel stated that there was no substantiated evidence to support the claims that the military orchestrated forced abortions on such a massive scale or targeted children as part of an anti-insurgency measure.
According to Justice Abdu Aboki, the investigation aimed to uphold impartiality, weighing evidence from various stakeholders, including affected communities, military personnel, and human rights advocates.
Testimonies were gathered from women who had reportedly been detained by insurgents and later taken into military custody. Many of these women refuted the allegations of forced abortion, corroborating the military’s claims that the reports were “unfounded and malicious.” The panel also scrutinized records and other documents in its extensive research efforts.
However, the NHRC panel did highlight an isolated incident involving military personnel in Borno State in 2016. According to the panel’s findings, some soldiers were implicated in the tragic deaths of a woman and three children, who were allegedly burned to death in the Marte Local Government Area.
The panel acknowledged this specific incident as a grave human rights violation, calling for accountability for the soldiers involved. Justice Aboki stressed that, while there was no evidence to support the broader accusations of forced abortions, this incident was emblematic of the complex challenges the military faces in regions where insurgents continue to endanger civilians.
The panel’s conclusions have been met with mixed reactions. While some human rights organizations welcomed the findings as a sign of due diligence, others questioned the thoroughness of the investigation. Calls have emerged for greater transparency in future reviews, particularly concerning sensitive allegations involving the military and civilian populations.
National Human Rights Commission
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, the NHRC emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and addressing any potential misconduct by security forces to maintain public trust and adherence to human rights principles. More details are expected as the NHRC considers further recommendations based on the panel’s findings, which could shape future practices in the military’s engagement with civilian populations in conflict zones.
