NEW YORK, Dec 9 — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an investigation into allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by the Nigerian army, the UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said today.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Nigerian Army has run a secret, systematic and illegal abortion programme in the country’s north-east since at least 2013.

Nigeria’s defence chief said the military will not investigate the report because it was not true.

"The Secretary-General takes note with concern of the allegations of systemic and coerced abortions reportedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army against women and girls who had already been victimized by Boko Haram,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in an email to Reuters.

"The allegations deserve thorough investigation and the application of immediate remedial actions and accountability measures, if necessary.” — Reuters