The Federal Government says the Reuter’s report that the Nigerian military ran a secret mass abortion programme in the war against Boko Haram is fake news, disinformation and a ploy to demoralise and distract the fighting forces.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated the government’s position on Monday in Abuja at the 10th edition of the (PMB) Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023).
He said the news agency made the grave allegation without a scintilla of evidence, citing only anonymous sources and the reported review of phantom ‘documents’.
“The agency claimed that its investigation was based on interviews with 33 women and girls.
“How do they use interviews with 33 women and girls to arrive at the bogus claim of 10,000 abortions?
“And in a further indication that the figure of abortions quoted was arbitrary or possibly conjured, the agency first put the figure at 12,000 before settling for 10,000,” he said.
In another development. there was a fire incident at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The inferno, whose cause was yet to be ascertained, was said to have occurred on the second floor of the DHQ.
It was gathered that personnel of the Federal Fire Service and military personnel were battling the fire.
The Director, Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, confirmed the incident.
He said, “A minor fire incident occurred on the second floor of the Defence Headquarters, Garki Abuja this afternoon 12 December 2022. The cause of the fire outbreak is unknown at this moment.
“However, the incident has been brought under control with the combined effort of the military and Federal Fire Service personnel and resources. All personnel and civilian staff were also evacuated without injury or loss of life.
“Accordingly, normalcy has returned. Investigation to determine the cause of the fire commenced immediately.
“We thank the Federal Fire Service and the entire public for the continued support and goodwill to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”