Nigeria Human Rights Commission Reveals Findings on Military Abuses

Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is set to release findings from its investigation into allegations that the military operated an illegal abortion program and committed child killings during anti-insurgency operations. This investigation was prompted by a Reuters report published last year detailing these claims, which the Nigerian military has vehemently denied, labeling them as unfounded. The NHRC, which was appointed by the government, convened a special panel earlier this year to investigate the allegations, holding hearings in both Abuja and the conflict-affected Borno state. Rights activists have previously criticized the NHRC for its limited accountability measures against government officials accused of human rights abuses, a concern echoed by reports from the United Nations and U.S. State Department. Nonetheless, the commission has made notable contributions to human rights advocacy in Nigeria, such as during the 2020 protests that led to the disbandment of the controversial SARS police unit. The upcoming report aims to shed light on serious violations and could potentially impact the ongoing discussion about military conduct in Nigeria's northeastern region.