Infanticide: Ummu Kalthum of KPF disagrees with Reuters
By Matthew Atungwu
Amb Ummu Kalthum Muhammad Rabiu, the founder and CEO of the Maiduguri-based NGO Kalthum Foundation for Peace, has expressed sadness over a rumored Reuters report that would damage the reputation of the Nigerian military.
The claimed study claims that the Nigerian military forced abortions on more than 12,000 women and girls. The military was also accused in their probe of killing children in northeast Nigeria beginning in 2013.
Leading members of the Nigerian Army including Lt. General TY Buratai Rtd, late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, General LEO Irabor, and current Army chief Lt. General Faruk Yahaya were identified as the perpetrators of the awful atrocities in the made-up Reuters report.
Reuters reported some severe charges against the Nigerian military, and Ummu Kalthum, the founder and CEO of the Maiduguri-based NGO Kalthum Foundation for Peace, expressed her amazement and dismay over the allegations.
Kalthum has taken a leading role in peace-building efforts, crisis negotiations, and efforts to mediate between the government, terrorists, and locals.
Read Also: Kalthum Foundation Empowers People Affected By Boko Haram Insurgency
She said, “I have had cause to work closely with the military over the years and also interacted with insurgents as well as victims and their families. I want to say with all sense of responsibility as a woman and a local that these allegations of infanticide and killing of children is wicked and very insensitive.
“My interactions with the military had made me to have tremendous respect for them because of their professionalism. I think international news organizations like Reuters should aid the Nigerian government with creative ways to end the insurgency; they should not be the ones demonizing the military. It is okay if they advocate for alternative dispute resolution with the insurgents because every war has to end on the table. But to come out and be making this kind of accusations is something I find difficult to understand.”
With the help of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Army, the Kalthum Foundation for Peace was able to free hostages held by Boko Haram militants. Teenagers like Ndagila Ibrahim and her sister, as well as Halima Mohammed, a corps member kidnapped along Gwoza Road, are among the rescued hostages.
Infanticide: Ummu Kalthum of KPF disagrees with Reuters
