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“I don’t know anything about raid of communities, killing of civilians by military as alleged by Reuters,” Gen Eyitayo Abdulwahab tells NHRC panel
Major General Abdulwahab Eyitayo on Tuesday told the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in the Counter Insurgency Operations in North East that he knows nothing about alleged assault of communities leading to the death of children or other civilians during the period of insurgency in the North East.
The panel was set up by the National Human Rights Commission to investigate Human Rights abuses allegedly committed by the Nigerian military while fighting Insurgency in the North East as contained in a report published by Reuters.
General Eyitayo said the troop under his command in Borno state in 2015 acted professionally in the course of operations and noted that the area of their operations in places like Kukawa, Konduga and Baga, were far away from residential areas, and that allegations of attacks on civilian could not have arisen.
In his oral testimony while being led by the Secretary of the panel, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna, the military top Officer said deployment was designed to be at the “outskirt” where troop will have the opportunity to stop the insurgents from coming to attack the civilians.
He said- “There is no way the soldiers who are protecting these civilians will turn round to attack them for any reason.”
Eyitayo who is currently serving at the Defense Base, Lugbe, Abuja recalled how troop under his command escorted civilians to their farms to ensure their safety when the Boko Haram fighters were stopping them on the way on random, and demanding taxes from them.
In Reuters allegation of abortion assaults which claimed that 10,000 pregnancies were illegally and forcefully aborted by the Nigerian Army as part of its systematic approach towards fighting insurgency in the North East, he said that they never provided medical assistance to the civilians whom he noted do not have any business coming where the troop were.
The former GOC 7 Division also informed the 7- Member panel chaired by Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) that under his command there used to be media briefings from time to time so that members of the public will be kept abreast of the operations of the military in the North East.
He added that the Army has a human rights desk in 7 Division and the press briefing provided a good platform to clarify issues arising from any complaints that are brought before the human rights desk.
Also defending himself before the panel, Colonel Yakubu Ibrahim who was 22 Brigade commander in Borno state said he only heard about Reuters report, saying that during his time in the state, the troop under his command did not make use of firepower because they hardly met the insurgents during clearance operations.
He told the panel that they did not engage in rescuing or managing civilians but only assisted the communities, especially those who did not have food because of the displacements occasioned by the insurgency.
He also confirmed before the panel that troop carried out medical outreaches with the assistance of Borno state and non-governmental organizations working in the state, pointing out that they never treated civilian, let alone pregnant women.
“Our area of responsibility is Machina, Nguru, Gasua and one other LGA (with other units) and I have four LGA in my area of responsibility. I did not make use of fire power because at that time “we did not encounter insurgents”.
“I was in New Marte as at 2020 and there was no human beings there except the fighters. In Dikwa there were people there, it is a local government. I had a battalion in Dikwa who made sure insurgents did not infiltrate that town. I visited Dikwa as operations demand,” he said.
….The Commission wants IGP to address use of excessive force by police
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, on April 26, 2026, in Efurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.”
He stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life at the hands of those sworn to protect them, reiterating that every life matters and must be protected.
According to him, “the reported action of the officer involved is condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The statement which was signed by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, quoted Ojukwu to have expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and called on the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent and decisive steps to address the issue.
He specifically urged the police authorities to subject officers deployed on special duties to periodic mental and psychological evaluations to ensure they are fit to carry arms and engage with civilians responsibly.
Dr. Ojukwu further called for the immediate disciplinary action against ASP Nuhu Usman in line with extant laws and police regulations.
He also emphasized the need for the Nigeria Police Force to fully implement the recommendations of the Commission’s Panel on Police Brutality as a necessary step toward meaningful reform and prevention of future violations.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law.
We hereby call for adequate compensation and justice for the family of the victim,” he stated.
He warned that justice delayed only deepens public distrust in state institutions and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the case closely and will persist in its advocacy for accountability, justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality. Justice must speak louder than silence,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
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