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NHRC’s special panel on alleged military abuses in North East resumes sitting
As part of efforts to unravel the truth in the Reuters report published in December 2022, which alleged various forms of human rights violations by the Nigerian Military, the Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North East Nigeria (SIIP-North East) resumed its 7th sitting Maiduguri the Borno State capital and was on a fact-finding mission to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd) said it has become necessary for the panel to visit the medical facility to seek the support needed in conducting further investigations into the alleged human rights violations mentioned in the Reuters report.
A statement by Agharese Arase, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, NHRC, has it that Aboki said although the medical facility was not categorically mentioned in the Reuters 4- part reports, it became expedient to conduct an investigation in the facility, being a Referral Centre where most of the secondary healthcare cases are brought.
The Secretary of the panel, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna revealed that the panel held its inaugural sitting on the 7th of February 2023 and had conducted similar investigations at both military and Civilian facilities across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
He added that the panel comprises of experts specialties in different fields relevant to the subject of the investigation. He emphasised that as a tertiary Hospital which serves as a major referral Centre, it is imperative to interact with the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and Heads of relevant departments to obtain important information that may be needed to ascertain the truth in the Reuter’s report.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Ogbonna said the panel will be fielding questions to the CMD, HOD obstetrics and gynaecology, HOD Pharmacy, HOD Nursing Services, and HOD Histopathology in other to be in sync with what the panel did at the Secondary medical facilities in the State, which are Borno State Specialist Hospital and Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital, all in Maiduguri, Borno State.
On his part the CMD of UMTH Prof. Ahmed Ahijo expressed the readiness of himself and his team to cooperate with the Panel as it conducts its investigations.
It would be recalled that the SIIP-North East was set up by the federal government to unravel the truth about a report by a foreign media Reuters which alleged that the Nigerian Military among other things conducted 10,000 abortions on women during the counter insurgency operation, massacre children as well as other forms of human rights violations.
So far, the SIIP-North East has heard testimonies from 8 witnesses at its resumed sitting in Borno state.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
Operatives of the Department of State Service have arrested a medical doctor treating wounded kidnappers inside the forest in different parts of Kwara State.
The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also involved in supplying drugs to kidnapping gangs operating in Kwara.
The DSS intercepted the medical doctor in the Jebba area after intelligence reports revealed that some couriers had been moving medical supplies from Sokoto to treat wounded bandits hiding in forests across the state.
A security official said many of the criminal groups have sustained gunshot injuries in recent encounters with forces.
The source said, “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target.”
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Ajakaye noted that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to shut down all channels aiding kidnapping activities.
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