The National Human Rights Commission will commence an investigation into a report that the Nigerian Army had been running a secret abortion programme since at least 2013 for which about 10,000 pregnancies have been aborted, its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) said on Tuesday.
Ojukwu, in a statement issued by the Deputy Director , Fatimah Mohammed, stated that the panel will among other things “focus on investigating Reuters report which alleged that Nigerian military was involved in abortion of many pregnancies in the North East in the last 10 years.”
Members of the panel are retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdu Aboki, ; Kemi Okonyedo ; and others. The PUNCH reported that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, had on December 17, 2023, during a visit to the commission demanded an investigation into the Reuters report. Also, a coalition of over 228 women’s rights organisations under the aegis of Womanifesto, had requested an investigation of the reported forced abortion of at least 10,000 pregnancies among rescued women and girls, although the military had denied it.
The convener of Womanifesto and Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, made the demand in a statement issued in Abuja, with a call on the Federal Government to institute a panel of inquiry.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NHRC set to probe allegation of secret abortion programme against Nigerian militaryReuters, had, in an investigative report, alleged that the Nigerian military ran the programme, secretly terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies of freed captives of Boko Haram terrorists over the years.
Read more »
NHRC to hold town hall meeting with guber candidates on human rights issues | TheCableThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it will organise a town hall meeting for governorship candidates across 18 states from February 1 to 3. In a statement on Tuesday,
Read more »
Ebonyi: Ebubeagu operative kills colleague over N1,000An Ebubeagu operative, Ajasm Aja, has been shot dead by his colleague over N1000, in Ebonyi State.
Read more »
Tourist guide laments N200,000 extortion for passport renewalA tourist guide, Adesanya Oresanya, has accused an official of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Bako Doma, of extorting N200,000 from him for passport renewal.
Read more »
Enugu: INEC investigates alleged demand of N1,000 for PVCThe Independent National Electoral Commission, on Monday, said it had launched an investigation into the alleged extortion of registered voters in Enugu by one of its staff in the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards.
Read more »
I was paid N1, 000 for lead roles - Lateef AdedimejiAward-winning Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji, has disclosed how he used to borrow money and clothes before going to movie auditions and almost gave up
Read more »