The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Leo Irabor, has demanded that the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, investigate allegations of forced abortion carried out on some women and children in the North East made by Reuters News Agency against the Nigerian military even as he noted that such acts was not in the DNA of troop’s on operation.
The foreign news agency had in a recent report claimed that the Nigerian military forcefully terminated the pregnancies of arrested and detained Boko Haram women who were said to be ashamed of the children.
Furthermore, the agency alleged that military authorities extra-judicially killed children of terrorists for fear they will take after their parents.
Speaking during a visit to the National Humsn Rights Commission Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday, Gen. Irabor disclosed that the Reuters’ story is evil, aimed at casting aspersions on troops’ efforts to contain insecurity in the country.
He said that the leadership of the Nigerian military welcomes an independent and thorough probe by a neutral organisation like NHRC into the allegation
His words, .”There comes a time when in the course of your responsibilities, you need to reach out to those who have one input or the other to make so that we advance the cause of the responsibilities entrusted into the establishment that you lead by the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
“Over the years, I’ve observed the very crucial role that the NHRC play and the contributions that the commission has been making to the growth to ensuring that we live within the bounds of the laws of our land and to also thank you for those inputs, those efforts that you’ve made.
“And secondly, to also let you know that as armed forces establishment of the Federal Republic, we are a creation of the Nigerian constitution, that has its. Rules of engagement, deals on extant laws of our land, one of which is, of course, all the laws, local and international, including international humanitarian laws and laws of armed conflicts that have been domesticated in Nigeria.
“In recent times, there have been reports which alluded that the armed forces is involved in a government program of abortions in the North East of Nigeria from 2013 to date and that report was published by Reuters.
“Of course when we looked at it, we felt this is certainly not us and it does not indeed represent us. The professional standing of the armed forces of Nigeria does not also indicate in the DNA of our personal engagements. Not just in the northeast of Nigeria, but across the length and breadth of this country where we have footprints of operations in line with the dictates of the Constitution.
“At first we felt, that perhaps there are some extra territorial power’s that is all out to weakening the strength of the armed forces being at the forefront of the current engagements that seeks to bring peace to our land and that some action’s have to be taken.
“But, being bound by law, being guided by laws, we’ve taken a look and we felt that the right establishment that should undertake investigation is the national Human Rights Commission.
“So it is in that light that I have come to formally inform you if perhaps you’re not thinking about it.That we as an armed forces stand ready for any establishment, and I think in this case, the national Human Rights Commission, stands a good ground to carry out an investigation.
“If that would be what you decide to do, I wish to use this opportunity to assure you of an unfettered access, that we will grant you to all our establishments across not just the northeast, but across the country. Our doors will be open to you as you so desire in the course of any investigation you may want to.
“Any officer you want to invite, that’ will be valuable for you to also ask questions that you think are appropriate and in the light of the allegations that have been will be allowed for you to interview.
“We are doing this because we believe we have remained very transparent in our personal engagements and so we have nothing to fear.
“Being an institution that is guided by law, we deemed it fit to call on the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the allegations, with a view to getting to the bottom of the issues raised. That is why we are here formally,” he said.
“We have always adhered to the tenets of international humanitarian laws, while also abiding by our professional ethical codes, together with the military Standard Operation Procedures, in all that we do in the North East, and other parts of the country,” said Gen. Irabor.
In his response, the Executive Secretary, Chief Ojukwu, said the request of the Defence Chief is in line with the determination of their Commission to investigate the Reuters’ allegations because of the human rights implications.
He said their Commission will soon announce further steps in the near future towards the constitution of the Panel of Investigation into the Reuters Report.
END
