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False Accusations Won’t Divert Military Focus, Says CDS

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 10th, 2024.

False Accusations Won’t Divert Military Focus, Says CDS

CDS, Christopher Musa

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has asserted that the military will not be distracted by unfounded allegations in its mission to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

His statement comes in response to the findings of an investigative panel established by the National Human Rights Commission to examine accusations against the military in the North-East.

The panel was formed after a Reuters report claimed that the Nigerian military was running a covert and unlawful abortion programme in the region, allegedly terminating the pregnancies of over 10,000 women and girls, many of whom had been kidnapped and raped by militants.

After a comprehensive investigation, the panel concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate these allegations, stating that no systematic abortion programme or policy had been found within the military, based on testimonies from witnesses.

In reaction to the findings, General Musa, through a statement released by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, praised the panel for its thorough examination of the issue. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defending human rights and restoring peace in conflict-ridden areas.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, commends the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East for clearing the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) from the allegations made by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Reuters. The panel’s findings confirmed that the claims of forced abortions, torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings were false,” the statement read.

Musa expressed his gratitude to the panel, led by Justice Abdu Aboki (retd), for conducting a meticulous investigation since its formation in March 2023 by the National Human Rights Commission. He took the opportunity to restate the military’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring peace in the country.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not be swayed by baseless accusations and will continue to carry out its constitutional duty of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity,” General Musa emphasized.