Borno Government Applauds NHRC’s Investigation into Alleged Military Abuses
The Borno State Government has expressed appreciation to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and its Special Independent Investigative Panel for their dedication to investigating allegations of abuse involving Nigerian military personnel.
In December 2022, Reuters reported claims of forced terminations involving over 10,000 women and alleged killings of infants by the Nigerian military, reportedly as part of efforts to curb Boko Haram’s influence in Nigeria’s Northeast.
Speaking at the panel’s final report presentation, Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hauwa Abubakar, acknowledged the gravity of the allegations against the military’s counter-insurgency efforts. She thanked the NHRC and the panel members, led by Executive Secretary Barrister Tony Ojukwu and retired Supreme Court Justice Abdu Aboki, for their dedication to transparency in the investigation.
“Receiving the findings of the Special Independent Investigative Panel today, I am filled with both gratitude and responsibility,” Abubakar said. “This report represents a significant step toward addressing these grave allegations, and I commend the panel’s dedication in these challenging circumstances.”
Abubakar also highlighted Governor Babagana Zulum’s leadership in prioritizing humanitarian support and protecting the dignity of displaced persons in Borno. She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing immediate needs and promoting long-term stability for affected communities.
The Attorney General emphasized the panel’s findings as critical to understanding Borno’s humanitarian challenges amid ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. “The findings are invaluable as we work to strengthen human rights protections and ensure accountability in our state,” she added.
She urged both federal and state institutions, including the Nigerian military, to act swiftly on the panel’s recommendations, particularly around improving conditions in IDP camps and enhancing record-keeping practices for better protection of the affected population.
Abubakar called on NGOs, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to join efforts to uphold human rights and dignity across Borno, emphasizing that a unified framework for accountability and justice could offer hope to victims and serve as a model for other regions facing similar crises.
The event saw attendance from various officials, including Borno’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar; the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Board, Prof. Muhammed Arab-Alhaji; representatives of the Shehu of Borno, military, NSCDC, DSS, NBA, CJTF, as well as UN, civil society, and community groups.
