The Nigerian military has clarified that an Amnesty International report on alleged deaths and poor detention conditions at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, currently circulating on social media is not a recent report.
The clarification was issued on Sunday by the Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), following renewed circulation of the report amid reports of the deaths of 37 suspects arrested for illegal mining while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
In a statement, the Acting Military Information Officer, OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the Amnesty International report was published in May 2016 and covered allegations concerning detention conditions and deaths between January and May 2016.
Goni said circulating the report without its historical context could wrongly suggest that the alleged deaths occurred recently.
“The report concerns allegations relating to detention conditions during that period and has no connection with events or conditions at the facility in 2026,” he said.
He explained that the report represented Amnesty International’s account of events at the time and should not be presented as a current development.
The military spokesperson urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to verify the date, source and context of archival reports before sharing them, particularly when dealing with sensitive security and humanitarian matters.
Goni also stated that the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks continues to operate in accordance with Nigerian laws and applicable international standards.
According to him, detainees currently have access to necessary care, vocational and skills-acquisition programmes, as well as Western and Islamic education.
He added that the centre maintains engagement with relevant humanitarian and human rights organisations, while national and international media organisations have been granted access in 2026 to observe its activities and prevailing conditions.
The OPHK spokesperson reaffirmed the military’s commitment to professional conduct, respect for applicable laws and standards, and improved detainee welfare as part of efforts to restore lasting peace and normalcy across the North-East.
