Nigerian Military To Sue Reuters Over Forced Abortion Allegations – CDS Musa
The Nigerian military plans to take legal action against Reuters over a report published in late 2022 that accused it of running a covert forced abortion program during counter-insurgency operations in the North East. The report claimed that approximately 10,000 pregnancies were terminated under this alleged program.
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), announced the legal steps during a recent statement, describing the allegations as baseless and harmful to the military’s reputation. He noted that a thorough investigation conducted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2024 cleared the military of any wrongdoing.
“After one and a half years of investigation, it was found to be a complete lie. I expected Reuters to apologise, but they have neither retracted the story nor shown accountability for the damage caused to Nigeria’s image and its military,” General Musa said.
The NHRC’s inquiry, launched in February 2023, involved detailed hearings in Abuja and Borno State, areas deeply affected by insurgency. The investigation concluded that the allegations were unfounded and malicious. Despite these findings, Reuters has not responded to demands for a retraction or apology.
General Musa revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Attorney-General of the Federation about initiating legal action. “It’s crucial that Nigeria addresses this issue. We will not allow anyone to undermine our troops or tarnish our nation’s reputation,” he stated.
He also argued that such accusations often aim to demoralise the military and discredit its progress in combating terrorism. “Whenever we achieve milestones, international organisations seem to target us with demoralising allegations. However, we remain resilient,” Musa added.
The Reuters report had alleged that the military conducted a systematic abortion program targeting women impregnated by insurgents and that children were killed during operations. The military has consistently denied these claims, labelling the report as “malicious and false.”
The allegations surfaced amid ongoing efforts to counter Boko Haram, an Islamist insurgency that gained notoriety in 2014 with the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls. While weakened by military offensives, the group continues to pose a threat in the region.
The legal action marks a significant step by the Nigerian military to challenge narratives it deems harmful to its credibility and ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
