On Friday, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, categorically denied military involvement in forced abortions linked to Boko Haram.
He asserted that these claims are unfounded and lack credible evidence, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability.
A Reuters report from February 2022 claimed that the military operated a secret abortion program targeting at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls in the northeast.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, General Musa criticized these accusations, asserting they stemmed from NGOs that do not wish Nigeria well.
“I wish you could call them now and ask that question.
I was the theatre commander when they brought this accusation, and I felt very bad because these organizations often do not mean well for us,” he stated.
He further expressed frustration at the timing of such allegations, especially when the military is making progress.
“Whenever we succeed, they throw this at us to tarnish our image and demoralize our troops.
What is their intent? Are they unhappy with our success?” he questioned.
General Musa recalled discussing the issue with the then Chief of Staff, Lucky Irabor, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
“These claims have circulated for too long without basis.
Let us investigate because I am confident that nothing like this happened,” he insisted.
The Chief of Defence Staff stated that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found no evidence of military wrongdoing.
He stressed the importance of a public apology for the false allegations.
“The Human Rights Commission set up an independent committee, and I was the first to testify in January 2023.
It took them one and a half years to investigate thoroughly,” he explained.
He disclosed that the military has formally requested the Attorney General to initiate legal action against the accusers involved.
“Let them come and publicly apologize for their errors,” he urged.
“If you accuse us of such actions, consider that we have collaborated with international organizations and local NGOs.
Are you suggesting we’ve operated this way for ten years without their knowledge?”
Moreover, General Musa pointed out that specific NGOs have facilitated safe abortions for over 10,000 Nigerians, possibly impacting the report’s conclusions.
