Amnesty International’s recent report reveals the harrowing plight of numerous women and young girls who have endured unlawful detention and abuse in Nigerian military facilities. These individuals, having escaped captivity by extremist groups in the northeast, found themselves subjected to prolonged imprisonment, often alongside their children, due to suspected ties with the militants.
Drawing from 126 interviews conducted over 14 years, predominantly with survivors, the latest report sheds light on the alarming human rights violations perpetrated in the context of Nigeria’s enduring conflict with Islamic extremists.
“Some said soldiers insulted them, calling them ‘Boko Haram wives’ and accusing them of being responsible for killings. Several described beatings or abysmal conditions in detention, which amount to torture or other ill-treatment,” the report said.
While acknowledging past concerns regarding the Nigerian military’s conduct, the report suggests a recent decline in the widespread occurrence of unlawful detentions. Despite this assertion, the Nigerian army swiftly dismissed the findings as “unsubstantiated,” reaffirming its commitment to improving its human rights record and ensuring accountability among its personnel.
The conflict’s devastating impact is starkly evident, with over 35,000 lives lost and millions displaced across borders. Tragically, women and young girls frequently fall victim to forced marriages and sexual abuse during their captivity.
The dire conditions within military detention facilities in Borno state, as described by crisis researcher Niki Frederiek, drive some individuals to contemplate returning to the very groups they sought to escape. Among the survivors interviewed, at least 31 reported illegal confinement, indicative of a broader pattern of abuse.
Accounts of verbal abuse and physical violence, including beatings and deplorable living conditions, underscore the systemic mistreatment endured by detainees, amounting to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Amidst these grave violations, Amnesty International emphasizes the urgent need for Nigerian authorities to prioritize the support and reintegration of these vulnerable women and young girls into society. Samira Daoud, the organization’s regional director for West and Central Africa, underscores this imperative, advocating for comprehensive measures to facilitate their full reintegration and recovery.
However, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, in a statement, disagreed, maintaining: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to allegations labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria by the Amnesty International Report launched during a Press Conference in Abuja June 10, 2024.
“Accordingly, the AFN is hereby making it unequivocally clear that, it is a professional force that operates within the ambit of international law of armed conflict as well as adheres to the humanitarian law and principles governing human rights.
“The AFN elects not to join words with such organisations, rather would encourage them to approach the military high command to substantiate their allegations. The military has self regulating mechanisms within the military justice system to address any proven case.
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