By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has commended the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East for its findings, which clear the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) of recent allegations.
In a statement issued by Director Defence Information General Tukur Gusau, the panel’s report exonerated the AFN from accusations made by Reuters and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), including claims of forced abortions and other rights violations.
The panel, led by retired Justice Abdu Aboki, was established by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission in March 2023. In its findings, the seven-member team concluded that allegations of systematic forced abortions, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings attributed to the AFN were unfounded.
General Musa expressed appreciation for the panel's rigorous approach to the investigation, acknowledging its role in safeguarding the reputation of the Armed Forces.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the AFN to uphold human rights and contribute to national peace and stability.
General Musa emphasized that “no amount of false accusations will deter the Armed Forces of Nigeria from fulfilling their constitutional duty of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.”
