The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has called on Amnesty International to provide evidence supporting its recent allegations that civilians have been tortured while in military custody in Nigeria's north-east. Amnesty International, in a press briefing on December 5, claimed that more than 10,000 individuals have died in military detention since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency. The organization also announced that it had filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Nigeria of committing crimes against humanity in the region.
In response, Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed the claims as "mischievous" and lacking credibility. He clarified that the Nigerian military only detains suspects for a necessary period during the profiling process, after which they are handed over to the relevant authorities for release or prosecution.
Buba emphasized that the Nigerian armed forces have consistently followed the rules of engagement and made extensive efforts to minimize civilian casualties during the ongoing counterterrorism operations in the north-east. He further noted that court martials are in place within operational theatres to ensure immediate justice for any military personnel found guilty of misconduct.
The DHQ reiterated the professionalism of the military under the leadership of General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, and invited Amnesty International to provide substantiated details of its allegations. This would allow the military to investigate the claims and verify their authenticity.
The military's call for evidence comes at a time when the region remains deeply affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, and calls for accountability and transparency from all parties involved in the conflict continue to grow.
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