The Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North-East (SIIP North-East) visited Miaduguri, Borno State once again to resume its 9th sitting from January 17th to 22nd, 2024.
During the sitting of the 7-Member Panel of Experts Chaired by a former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Abdu Aboki (rtd), several testimonies were taken from high ranking and middle cadre Army Officers.
It would be recalled that Reuters, a foreign media Organization has in 2022 published a report wherein it alleged that since about 2013, the Nigeria Army was involved in a “systematic, secret and illegal” abortion programme culminating in the termination of over 10,000 pregnancies, killing of children and other forms of assaults on women, in the course of its counter insurgency operations in the North East Nigeria.
As part of its investigations, the Panel which hitherto conducted several hearings in Abuja, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe State, also undertook a “risky” investigative journey to remote communities mentioned in the Reuters report to interface directly with members of the communities. The brave mission was embarked upon to unravel the veracity of the Reuters report.
Some of the locations visited were Baga, Cross Kauwa, Water hole, and Kukawa.
The panel stopped over at certain strategic areas including the Water hole, which is remarkable for supplying water to cattle and herders who often move along the area.
There were interaction between members of the Communities and Members of the panel in order to have an insight of the inhabitants especially as it relates to the work of the panel.
Earlier in Maiduguri municipality, the panel heard testimonies of Colonel Olusegun David, Major General Godwin Michael Mutkut, Major General Folunsho Onyinlola, Brigadier General Garba Abubakar Suru, Lt. Colonel Andrew Abore Malgwi, Colonel Aliyu Dabai, Brigadier General Samson Oluwafumilayo Okoigi, Colonel Abdulazeez Raji, and Major Innocent Chiemezie Asogwa.
Others are Major Odie Dolor, Brigadier General Suleiman Adamu, Brigadier General Daniel Kurmi, Brigadier General Saidu Tanko Audu, Brigadier General Aliyu Shehu Gulani, Lt. Colonel Preten Kaiser Leghemo, Lt. Colonel Datikum Yohana Datikum, Brigadier General Cyriacus Osuagwu Anyanwu, and Brigadier General Ismaila Babangida Abubakar.
The civilian witnesses who testified before the Panel are Prof. Ahmed Dan Fulani (Centre for International and Strategic Studies), Aswerbatham Florington (Terre des Hommes), Idowu Ibietan (Plan International), and Dr. Sussan Gana Mishelia (Society for Family Health), Hauws Sani Magiji, (Initiative for Family Healt).
