The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in North-East Nigeria (SIIP-North-East) played a pivotal role in preventing Nigeria from being summoned by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of human rights abuses.
Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), revealed this on Friday.
The NHRC established the panel to investigate claims made in a December 2022 Reuters report, which alleged that the Nigerian military had forcibly terminated at least 10,000 pregnancies as part of a secret abortion program targeting women and girls freed from insurgent captivity in Borno State and other parts of the North-East. The report also accused the military of massacring women and children during its counter-insurgency operations.
However, after an extensive investigation, the panel presented its findings on November 8, 2024, concluding that there was “no evidence” to support the allegations.
“There is no evidence to establish that the Nigerian military conducted a secret abortion program in the North-East or deliberately targeted women and children in its fight against insurgency,” the report stated.
The panel invited Reuters to substantiate its claims and explain the methodology behind its findings, but the news agency did not respond. The panel noted that Reuters’ absence cast doubt on the credibility of its allegations and sources.
Speaking during the unveiling of activities for the 2024 International Human Rights Day, Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized that the panel’s report underscored Nigeria’s commitment to investigating and addressing human rights concerns, thereby averting ICC intervention.
“The report demonstrated Nigeria’s dedication to safeguarding human rights, a crucial step towards strengthening human rights protections in the country,” Ojukwu remarked.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to advancing human rights by moving to pass the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law. The proposed legislation seeks to provide a robust framework for protecting human rights defenders and fostering a culture of human rights across Nigeria.