OPHK debunks recirculated 2016 Amnesty report on Giwa Barracks
By Zagazola Makama
The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has clarified that a widely recirculated Amnesty International report alleging deaths of detainees, including children, at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri relates to events from 2016 and not current conditions at the facility.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, September 20, by Capt. Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
According to OPHK, the Amnesty International report was published in May 2016 and the figures cited in it concerned alleged deaths recorded between January and May of that year.
The military said the recirculation of the report without its original date and historical context could create the false impression that the reported deaths were recent occurrences.
“While the report represents Amnesty International’s account of events at the time, its contents should not be presented as a current development, fact, or used to characterise the prevailing situation at the facility a decade later,” OPHK said.
The statement urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to exercise due diligence when sharing archival reports, particularly those relating to sensitive security and humanitarian issues.
OPHK said the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks currently operates in accordance with applicable Nigerian laws, established procedures and relevant international standards.
It added that the centre places emphasis on the welfare, lawful treatment and rehabilitation of detainees, including access to medical care, skills acquisition, vocational training, as well as Western and Islamic education.
According to the military, the centre also 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.
OPHK reiterated its commitment to professional conduct, respect for applicable laws and standards, and continuous improvement in the management and welfare of persons in its custody.
The task force further urged members of the public to verify the date, source and context of security-related reports before sharing them, particularly when such reports concern events from previous years.
The military said the clarification was necessary to ensure that historical allegations are not inadvertently presented as current developments or used to generate unnecessary public apprehension.
