The panel established by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate alleged military forced abortions on civilians arrived in Adamawa State on Friday to begin an investigation of military brigades and hospitals.
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The panel, which began its investigation into the matter last month, held a hearing in Yola during which members interviewed two brigade commanders: Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, Commander of the 28 Taskforce Brigade in Chibok, Borno State, and Brigadier General Mohammed Gambo, Commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola.
Mr Hilary Ogbona, Secretary of the NHRC Investigative Panel, who posed the panel’s questions to the generals, had earlier stated in his opening address that 50 such military leaders, other stakeholders, and purported victims of alleged forced abortions had been interviewed in the investigations, which began last month and covered Borno and Yobe states.
He stated that the investigations would continue and that the panel’s findings would be made public at the conclusion of its sessions.
He stated that the panel would visit military and civilian hospitals throughout Adamawa State on Saturday as part of its investigation.
According to a Reuters report, the military has been involved in approximately 10,000 forced abortions since 2013.
Hilary posed questions to the generals in an attempt to find substance or circumvent the allegations.
In his response, General Martins stated that the Nigerian military is far too professional to force abortions on women for any reason.
Among other things, General Martins stated that the Reuters report, which alleged a secret and illegal abortion program that terminated at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, implied that the military took on the family role of deciding who gives birth and who does not, which the military could never do.
He emphasized that it was impractical for military doctors or any health workers acting on behalf of the military to reach out to civilians and administer anything to end their pregnancies.
