U.S. seeks more information on Reuters report over Nigerian military secret abortion program

Record ID: 1701233

  • Title: U.S. seeks more information on Reuters report over Nigerian military secret abortion program
  • Date: 7th December 2022
  • Summary: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 7, 2022) (STATE TV) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, NED PRICE, APPROACHING LECTERN (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, NED PRICE, SAYING: “My reaction to it in the first instance was a personal one, I read it and was deeply disturbed by it. It was a harrowing report, we are, it’s a concerning report and for that reason we are seeking further information but I just don’t have anything to offer at this time.” PRICE ENDING BRIEFING
  • Embargoed: 21st December 2022 20:55
  • Keywords: Nigeria Nigerian Army Reuters report State Department U.S. abortions illegal abortion program
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001519307122022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The United States is seeking further information on a Reuters report on the secret illegal abortion program run by the Nigerian Army, said the State’s Department spokesperson, Ned Price, on Wednesday (December 7).
    Price said he had read the report and described it “harrowing” during a news briefing.
    Since at least 2013, the Nigerian Army has run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion program in the country's northeast, terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom had been kidnapped and raped by Islamist militants, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
    The abortions mostly were carried out without the women's consent – and often without their prior knowledge, according to witness accounts. The women and girls ranged from a few weeks to eight months pregnant, and some were as young as 12 years old.
    The investigation is based on interviews with 33 women and girls who say they underwent abortions while in the custody of the Nigerian Army. Reporters also interviewed five civilian healthcare workers and nine security personnel involved in the program, including soldiers and others such as armed guards engaged in escorting pregnant women to abortion sites. In addition, Reuters reviewed copies of military documents and civilian hospital records describing or tallying thousands of abortions.
    (Production: Gerardo Gomez)
  • Copyright Holder: STATE DEPARTMENT TV
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register