A Nigerian advocacy group calls on Reuters to issue an apology over what it describes as baseless allegations against the Nigerian military. Learn more about the group’s concerns and their demand for accountability in reporting.
The human rights advocacy organization, Women Concerns, has called on the international news agency Reuters to apologize to the Nigerian military for accusations that it allegedly targeted women and children or carried out covert abortions during its operations against Islamist insurgents in the northeast.
The Reuters report has been disputed by Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which completed its investigation and found “no evidence” to substantiate the claims.
“The NHRC, in its report revealed at a press conference in Abuja, stated that there is no evidence to prove the Nigerian military carried out a secret abortion program in the northeast, terminating pregnancies of thousands of women and girls rescued from insurgent captivity.”
During a media briefing on Monday, Women Concerns urged Reuters to withdraw the report that they asserted was unsubstantiated and requested an apology be issued to the Nigerian military.
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While addressing the press in Abuja, Aishatu Balarabe, the group’s convener, characterized the NHRC’s findings as a substantial counter to the Reuters report.
Balarabe criticized the purported efforts to damage the reputation of the Nigerian Armed Forces, suggesting that Reuters should use its platform to support and highlight the military’s ongoing initiatives in Nigeria’s affected areas.
Reuters should refrain from publishing biased stories that could undermine the efforts of the Nigerian military.
Women Concerns has conducted its investigation with the help of local residents in Northeast Nigeria. Our findings indicate that Reuters’ report cannot be substantiated. Instead of persisting with this claim, we urge Reuters to issue an apology to the military.
What Nigeria, particularly its military, needs at this moment is support and morale boosters to overcome the security challenges it faces.
According to Women Concerns, the group is confident that even in the face of war mongers’ activities, Nigeria’s Armed Forces led by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Chris Musa will persist in addressing those opposed to peace and progress.
