The Nigerian Army has issued a statement clarifying that a report by Amnesty International alleging deaths of detainees, including children, at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, relates to events that occurred in 2016. The report was originally published in May 2016 and the figures contained therein relate to alleged deaths recorded between January and May of that year.
The clarification was made by the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), following the recirculation of the report on social media and other platforms. The military authorities warned that circulating the report without the appropriate historical context could create the impression that the alleged deaths occurred recently.
OPHK acknowledged that the report represented Amnesty International's account of events at the time but stressed that its contents should not be presented as a current development or used to characterise the prevailing situation at Giwa Barracks in 2026. The military therefore urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to exercise due diligence when reproducing archival reports.
The task force further stated that the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks currently operates in accordance with Nigerian laws, established procedures and applicable international standards. The centre places emphasis on the welfare, lawful treatment and rehabilitation of detainees, including access to necessary care, skills acquisition and vocational training.
According to OPHK, the centre maintains engagement with relevant humanitarian and human rights organisations and that national and international media organisations had been granted access in 2026 to observe its activities and prevailing conditions. This, the task force said, is a testament to its commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Joint Task Force said it remained focused on its mandate of restoring lasting peace and normalcy across the North-East through sustained and professionally conducted operations. OPHK also advised members of the public to verify the date, source and context of security-related reports before accepting or sharing them.
The task force called on media organisations to uphold responsible and accurate reporting by clearly distinguishing historical reports from current developments in the North-East. This, it said, is crucial in preventing the spread of misinformation and unnecessary public apprehension.
Key points
- The Amnesty International report was originally published in May 2016.
- The report relates to alleged deaths recorded between January and May 2016.
- The Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks currently operates in accordance with Nigerian laws and international standards.
