The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel has concluded its investigation into allegations that the Nigerian military conducted mass forced abortions on women in the northeast, reportedly involving at least 10,000 abortions between 2013 and 2021. The panel, led by former Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, found no evidence to support claims of a systematic or policy-driven abortion program by the military. Instead, the panel pointed to a non-governmental organization as responsible for conducting abortions during that period.
Hilary Ogbonna, secretary of the panel, stated that no proof was found of the military’s involvement in forced abortions on such a scale. However, the report did implicate the military in incidents of infanticide and killings within communities, particularly referencing an incident in Marte LGA, Borno State, in June 2016. Survivor testimonies and witness accounts detailing these incidents are included in the panel’s report.