Nigeria: Amnesty International’s allegation of 10,000 civilian deaths in detention camps baseless, shocking, mischievous – Military
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has dismissed claims by Amnesty International that over 10,000 civilians have died in Nigerian military detention facilities since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
In a statement issued by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, the military described these claims, presented during a December 5, 2024 press conference, as baseless, shocking, and mischievous.
General Buba emphasized that such allegations undermine the ongoing counter-terrorism operations, which are in their concluding stages.
He said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to some spurious allegations made by Amnesty International during a press conference held on 5 Dec 24. It was alleged that, since the onset of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria (NE) over ten thousand civilians died in Nigerian Military detention facilities among other spurious allegations.
“The armed forces views the pronouncements by Amnesty International as shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous, particularly as it coming at this ending cycle stage of the counter terrorism war in the NE.
“Though the Armed Forces is not willing to join words with Amnesty International, it is of utmost necessity to set the records straight. The Nigerian military is a professional forces which conducts its operations within the dictates of international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflicts.
“Though the operational environment has been complex and challenging, troop have painstakingly abide by the rules of engagement to extensively avoided civilian casualties in whatever shape or form. Additionally, whenever arrest are made , suspects are profiled, afterwhich the suspects are handed over to the appropriate agency for release or prosecution.
“As a deterence to unethical conducts, there are standing court martials within the operational theatres to ensure justice is immediately administered to any erring personnel during operations. Overall, It is necessary to reiterate that the armed forces under the able leadership of the CDS, General Christopher Musa, remains professional in carrying out its constitutional mandates in line with global best practices.
“On the whole, the armed forces invites Amnesty International to substantiate the details of the allegations. This will enable the military to conduct an inquiry in order to determine the authencity or otherwise of the made allegations”.
