News
Reuters Report: NHRC Panel vows to deepen probe of alleged forced abortions, other abuses by Nigerian military in North East as more Generals deny allegations
The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operation in the North East, set up by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has vowed to return to the affected communities for further investigations of the forceful and illegal abortions as well as other forms of human rights violations allegedly committed by the Nigerian Military.
The allegations were contained in a report published by an international media organisation, Reuters in 2022.
A member of the seven-man panel chaired by retired Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki, JSC which is investigating the allegations, told Nationwide Reports exclusively on Wednesday, that the response of serving and retired military officers appearing before the panel, has necessitated the need to go back to the communities for further probe.
The panel member requested to remain anonymous because of no authority to speak for the panel but told Nationwide Reports that it was not surprising that all that military personnel that have appeared, have denied that any of such abuses took place, without anyone of them even admitting there was error or omission of any form.
“You know that the military is a strategic and regimented institution. So, we are not really surprised that every one of those invited, have denied, not some, but all the allegations. We have heard some them claiming they never heard or read the Reuters report.
‘However, the panel is determined to get to the root of the issues. Because we are no longer to submit the findings of the panel to the outgoing administration, I think we have time to do a better and more thorough job.
“With the responses so far, we will now go back to the affected communities, engage traditional, religious and other leaders, as well as members of affected villages, engage them one-on-one, to get further insight into the allegations,” the panel member stated.
The source also said that the panel would make sure that all concerned are given the opportunity to appear before it, in order to ensure fair hearing, adding that even Reuters have been invited but refused to appear before the panel.
It would be recalled that Reuters news agency had reported that Nigerian Military forced women to commit 10,000 abortions and willfully killed hundreds of civilians, women and children as well as raped many women while carrying out counter insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Following national and international outcry attracted by the report, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as part of its mandate, in January 2023, set up a seven-man panel chaired by retired Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki, JSC, to investigate the allegations. The committee was inaugurated by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Among top military officers that have appeared before the panel was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya who vehemently denied all the allegations contained in the Reuters report.
The COAS who was accompanied by many top military officers and his personal aides, was visibly not happy with the Reuters report and said it was unthinkable to suggest that an organized institution like the Nigerian Army, which he said has been in existence for 160 years, could be accused of committing such heinous crimes against citizens of Nigeria that the military was meant to protect.
In the same manner, all the other military officers, most of them Generals, have, one after the other said the military could not commit such heinous crimes against Nigerian people.
Only yesterday, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, General Hassan Umar (rtd), a former Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, said the Army by training is designed to rescue people in war situation rather than involve itself in allegations of gross Human Rights violation.
He told the panel that the report as published by Reuters contained unfounded allegations, adding that a professional institution like the Nigerian army would not be involved in acts that violate rights of citizens.
Hassan who was General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, Jos said that though the allegations by Reuters are very touching, the Army cannot be connected with such acts.
He said- “Never a time did the Nigerian Army experienced what Reuters alleged.”
Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, also a former Theatre Commander who was the first to appear before the panel on Wednesday, said the military while conducting operations is usually specific in target.
He said with Boko Haram, it was face to face battle with the insurgent, adding that military personnel were at more danger because they were the direct targets of the insurgence.
He described as false, Reuters report that said killing of children of Boko Haram fighters as well as abortion of pregnancies suspected to belong to the fighters, were deliberate policy of the military and that it was secret and clandestine, saying that there was no secret in the operations of the military because no action is carried out without order from the hierarchy.
According to Gen. Akinroluyo, every commander has a diary with which actions are recorded.
Earlier on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, General Abdulwahab Eyitayo, serving at the Defense Base, Lugbe and Colonel Yakubu Ibrahim a former Brigade commander in Borno state also appeared before the investigative panel and also denied all the allegations contained in the Reuters report.
Gen. Eyitayo said that the troop under his command in Borno state in 2015 acted professionally in the course of operations, noting that the areas of their operations in places like Kukawa, Konduga and Baga, among others, were far away from residential areas, and that allegations of attacks on civilian could not have arisen.
On his part, Col. Yakubu Ibrahim 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 meet 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.
According to him, troop carried out medical outreaches with the assistance of Borno state and non-governmental organisations working in the state and said that they never treated civilian, let alone pregnant women.
He said- “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 were 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”
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: LR: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
Some women in Ezimo community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, staged a protest over the alleged kidnap of five residents and the shooting of another during an attack on the community.
The protesters, who marched through major parts of the community, said the incident had heightened fear and insecurity in the area.
One victim of the attack is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
A social media influencer, ‘Sen.’ Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, made this known via Facebook on Saturday.
Ugwuanyi revealed that resident who confirmed the incident said recent cases of abductions and shootings had left the community unsafe, prompting the women to demand urgent government intervention.
In a video shared on Ugwuanyi’s Facebook page, the protesters called on the Enugu State Government and security agencies to step in and restore peace, warning that residents could no longer live under constant fear of attacks.
-
News2 years agoBreaking: Tinubu’s authentic ministerial nominees
-
News9 months agoSenate to speed up conclusion of Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill
-
News2 years ago“Anytime we want to kill terrorists, President would ask us to take permission from France but they were killing our soldiers-” Niger Republic coup leader
-
News2 years ago“I’m leaving the Catholic church because Bishop Onah is oppressing me,” says Okunerere
-
News2 years agoRadio Nigeria’s veteran broadcaster Kelvin Ugwu dies three months after retirement from service
-
News2 years agoDokpesi and the Gazebo Mystique
-
News2 years agoTsunami: Tinubu orders dissolution of managements, boards of MDAs, to sack all Buhari’s political appointees
-
News2 years agoPersons against Allagoa’s reforms behind protests at NSITF