Nigerian army denies allegations of aborting pregnancies of Boko Haram victims
Nigerian army denies allegations of aborting pregnancies of Boko Haram victims
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, has categorically denied allegations that the Nigerian military participated in a clandestine abortion operation that targeted women who had been impregnated by Boko Haram militants.
The military allegedly terminated up to 10,000 pregnancies as part of its counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, according to the claims, which were initially published by Reuters in February 2022.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday, General Musa called the accusations “baseless” and suggested they were part of a smear campaign led by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with hidden agendas.
He described how these kinds of claims surface when the military achieves significant progress, often with the intention to tarnish its reputation and demoralize the troops.
“Whenever we are succeeding, they throw this at us to make us look bad,” he said. “The question is, what is their intent? Are they unhappy with our success?”
General Musa, who was the theatre commander when the allegations were first made, recalled his conversations with former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, urging for a thorough investigation into the matter. He expressed confidence that the accusations were unfounded.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) subsequently formed an independent panel to investigate the claims. General Musa emphasized that the military had fully cooperated with the panel, granting them unrestricted access during the investigation. After more than a year of inquiry, the NHRC found no evidence to support the allegations.
“The NHRC committee investigated this for one and a half years, and I was the first to testify in January 2023. Their report found no evidence of these claims,” he said.
General Musa demanded a public apology from those behind the allegations, and confirmed that the military had approached the Attorney General to consider legal action.
He also raised concerns about the lack of responses from international organizations and local NGOs, questioning why these groups remained silent if such actions had occurred over a decade.
“If we had been doing this for 10 years, as claimed, why didn’t these organizations report it?” Musa asked. “Are they also complicit?”
The Defence Chief also suggested that some NGOs, which had been involved in safe abortion programs for over 10,000 Nigerians, might have been the origin of the claims cited by Reuters.
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Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police
Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police
The Police Command in Rivers on Wednesday, said it has arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 10.
She said that the suspect aged 30, was identified as the ringleader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, that coordinated several abductions for ransom across the state.
According to her, the suspect who is responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.
“The suspect was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme Local Government Area before his arrest,” she said.
She said that the recovered items include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.
The spokesperson said that during preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of the kidnapping syndicate.
According to her, the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. (NAN)
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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.
Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.
The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.
“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.
Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.
Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.
The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.
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Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community
The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)
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