Amnesty International claims over 10,000 deaths occurred in military custody amid Boko Haram crisis

Amnesty International has reported that at least 10,000 people have died in military custody since the outbreak of the Boko Haram insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. The organization also accused both Boko Haram militants and Nigerian military forces of committing widespread abuses, including violations of international humanitarian law.

During a briefing in Maiduguri, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, criticized the military for allegedly violating rules of engagement and for denying its personnel’s involvement in documented atrocities. “The military repeatedly denies allegations, even after being presented with our findings before their public release,” Sanusi stated.

Efforts to obtain a response from Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters regarding these allegations were unsuccessful, as the defense spokesperson could not be reached.

Sanusi revealed that Amnesty International has filed a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, citing alleged crimes against humanity in Nigeria’s northeast. He also presented a 144-page report titled “Help Us Build Our Lives: Girls Survivors of Boko Haram and Military Abuses in Northeast Nigeria.”

The report detailed atrocities committed by Boko Haram, including mass killings of civilians, abductions of girls and women, and targeted attacks on schools to suppress what the group deems “Western education.”

“Boko Haram has committed war crimes and other grave violations of international law, including murder, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, torture, and forced recruitment of child soldiers,” the report stated. The group’s actions, Amnesty noted, are consistent with its policy of systematically targeting civilian populations.

However, the report also highlighted human rights violations committed by Nigerian military forces during counterinsurgency operations. According to Amnesty International, the military often treats anyone emerging from Boko Haram-controlled areas as a suspect.

The report documented alleged war crimes by Nigerian forces, including to include Intentional and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, Extrajudicial executions and torture and Gender-based violence, including rape and sexual abuse.

Sanusi noted, “At least 10,000 individuals have died in military custody since the conflict began.”

Amnesty also expressed concerns about the Nigerian government’s failure to investigate or prosecute individuals suspected of crimes under international law.

Despite these allegations, the report acknowledged improvements by Nigerian authorities in recent years, including a reduction in arbitrary detentions of women and children suspected of Boko Haram affiliations.

“For over a decade, Boko Haram has devastated lives across northeast Nigeria, indiscriminately targeting civilians in government-controlled areas and treating them as enemies,” the report concluded.