In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the Nigerian military is preparing to take legal action against international media outlet Reuters over allegations that it had run a secret abortion program targeting women impregnated by insurgents in the northeast of the country. The accusations, first published in late 2022, claimed that the Nigerian military had terminated over 10,000 pregnancies, a story that has now been vehemently denied by the country’s military leadership.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, made this revelation during a recent public address, expressing both anger and disappointment that the global news organization had refused to retract or apologize for what he called “malicious and unfounded” claims. Musa also highlighted a comprehensive 2024 investigation conducted by Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which cleared the military of any wrongdoing.
“These accusations are completely false,” General Musa said, emphasizing that the NHRC’s thorough investigation had found no evidence of such a program. “After one and a half years of investigation, it was determined that the claims made by Reuters were a complete lie. Despite this, Reuters has shown no accountability, no retraction, and no apology.”
The contentious report by Reuters suggested that the military had been systematically terminating pregnancies among women and girls who had been victimized by insurgents, especially those abducted and sexually assaulted by the Boko Haram group. The report also included claims that military personnel had been involved in the deaths of children, further fueling public outrage.
Reuters’ investigation, which relied on testimony from soldiers and civilians, alleged that the Nigerian military’s counter-insurgency operations in the North East had involved the deliberate targeting of pregnant women, many of whom had been forced into captivity by Boko Haram insurgents. According to the report, the military’s actions resulted in the termination of thousands of pregnancies, a claim that the military has steadfastly rejected.
General Musa was blunt in his criticism of Reuters, accusing the outlet of working to undermine the Nigerian military’s efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. “Whenever we make progress, it seems international organizations are always quick to attack the credibility of our operations,” Musa remarked. “These false reports are part of a broader effort to demoralize our troops and deflect attention from the successes we have achieved in combating terrorism.”
The story first emerged in December 2022 when Reuters reported that the Nigerian military was allegedly running a secret program designed to terminate the pregnancies of women impregnated by insurgents, many of whom were also victims of kidnapping and forced labor. The news agency claimed that over 10,000 pregnancies had been terminated as part of this program, a number that has been widely questioned by Nigerian authorities.
The claim gained further traction with the publication of a follow-up report that documented testimonies from over 40 soldiers and civilians. These individuals allegedly described witnessing military personnel killing children or finding the corpses of children following military operations. While Reuters maintained that its reports were based on credible sources, the Nigerian government has categorically dismissed the findings as false.
The scandal has not only affected the reputation of the Nigerian military but has also sparked widespread public outrage. Human rights organizations and international observers have called for further investigation, while critics argue that the media’s coverage of the conflict has often been sensationalized or politically motivated.
“The military has been under constant scrutiny for its role in the fight against Boko Haram, but these allegations go too far,” said a senior military source who wished to remain anonymous. “Such accusations are not just an insult to the soldiers who are risking their lives every day; they are a direct attack on the integrity of the entire nation.”
In response to the allegations, the Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in its military operations. A special panel was formed by the NHRC in February 2023 to probe the allegations, with hearings conducted in Abuja and the conflict-prone Borno State. The investigation reportedly found no evidence supporting the claims of a secret abortion program.
Despite the NHRC’s findings, Reuters has stood by its reporting, asserting that the testimonies provided by its sources were credible and warranted further scrutiny. “We stand by our report and the information we published,” a Reuters spokesperson stated in response to inquiries about the ongoing controversy.
The tensions between the Nigerian government and Reuters have raised questions about the role of international media in reporting on conflict zones. Many critics argue that such reports can distort public perceptions and undermine the efforts of national governments and military forces working to combat terrorism.
General Musa has made it clear that the Nigerian military will not tolerate the spread of false information that undermines its credibility. “We have fought long and hard to bring peace to this region, and we will not allow anyone to tarnish our reputation with lies,” he declared.
The military’s readiness to pursue legal action against Reuters marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against both insurgency and media narratives that it believes harm the country’s image.
“We have discussed this matter with the Attorney-General of the Federation, and it is clear that Nigeria must take a stand. We will pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this slanderous campaign against our military is brought to an end,” Musa stated.
The Boko Haram insurgency, which has plagued northeastern Nigeria for over a decade, remains a complex and volatile issue, with civilians and military personnel alike bearing the brunt of the violence. The conflict has forced thousands of women and children into difficult circumstances, many of whom have been coerced into joining the insurgency or have suffered severe physical and emotional trauma.
Despite the challenges, Nigeria’s military has made significant strides in weakening the insurgency, with numerous successful operations and the recapture of territory once controlled by militants. However, the allegations against the military could impact public perception both within Nigeria and abroad.
