The Nigerian Military High Command has dismissed claims by Amnesty International alleging that over 10,000 civilians have died in Nigerian military detention facilities since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, described the allegations as “shocking, baseless, and mischievous,” especially at this critical stage of the counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) challenged Amnesty International to provide detailed evidence supporting its claims, stating that such evidence would allow for a thorough inquiry to verify their authenticity.
The statement reads:
“The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to spurious allegations made by Amnesty International during a press conference on December 5, 2024. It was alleged that since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency, over 10,000 civilians have died in Nigerian military detention facilities, among other claims.
“The armed forces view these pronouncements as lacking merit and mischievous. The Nigerian military operates as a professional force, adhering to international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.
“Despite the complexities of the operational environment, troops have consistently followed rules of engagement to avoid civilian casualties. Suspects apprehended during operations are carefully profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution or release.
“As a deterrence to unethical conduct, standing court-martials operate in the theatres of operations to ensure swift justice for erring personnel. Under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, the armed forces remain committed to professionalism and global best practices.”
The military reiterated its commitment to transparency and invited Amnesty International to substantiate its allegations, emphasizing that this would enable a fair and detailed investigation into the claims.