The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has strongly refuted allegations claiming that the Nigerian military was involved in forced abortions of pregnancies resulting from Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria.
This rebuttal comes in response to a February 2022 report by Reuters, which alleged that the military operated a secret abortion program in its efforts to combat armed groups in the northeast. The report claimed that at least 10,000 pregnancies were terminated as part of this program.
Speaking on Channels Television, General Musa dismissed the allegations as false and harmful propaganda, suggesting that they were fabricated by certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that “do not wish Nigeria well.”
CDS Musa’s Response
“I wish you could call them now and ask that question,” Musa said. “I was the theatre commander when these accusations surfaced, and I felt deeply hurt because many of these organizations seem to have ulterior motives.
“Whenever we achieve progress and success, these allegations emerge to tarnish our image and demoralize our troops. What is their intent? Are they unhappy with our success?”
Independent Investigations Conducted
Musa explained that following the accusations, the military collaborated with independent investigators to address the claims.
“When this issue came up, I discussed it with the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. We agreed to investigate because I was confident that nothing like this ever happened. The Human Rights Commission set up an independent committee, and I was the first to testify in January 2023,” he revealed.
According to Musa, the investigation lasted 18 months, granting the committee unrestricted access to military facilities. The findings of the investigation cleared the military of any wrongdoing.
Military’s Next Steps
General Musa also disclosed that the military has appealed to the Attorney General to take legal action to clear its name.
“We have urged the Attorney General to take this matter to court. These false claims have maligned us, and we demand a public apology from those responsible. If they can’t prove their allegations, they should admit their wrongdoing,” he stated.
Partnerships Questioned
General Musa further questioned the credibility of the allegations, noting that the military has been working with reputable international organizations and NGOs for over a decade.
“If we had been involved in such acts for 10 years, why didn’t these international organizations report it? Are they also complicit? When the investigation report was released, those NGOs refused to appear or engage,” he added.
Conclusion
General Musa’s statements reinforce the military’s commitment to transparency and its ongoing fight against misinformation. The Nigerian military, according to him, remains focused on safeguarding the nation while maintaining its partnerships with credible organizations.
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