Amnesty International has reported that over 10,000 individuals have died in military custody since the onset of the Boko Haram conflict in Nigeria’s North-East. The human rights organization accused both Boko Haram and the Nigerian military of severe human rights abuses, with claims that the military violated rules of engagement during its operations in the region.
Speaking at a briefing in Maiduguri, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, highlighted that the military had consistently denied allegations of misconduct, even after being presented with evidence before the publication of Amnesty’s reports.
Sanusi revealed that Amnesty International had filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, alleging crimes against humanity in the region. The organization also presented a comprehensive 144-page report titled “Help Us Build Our Lives: Girl Survivors of Boko Haram and Military Abuses in North-East Nigeria.”
The report detailed atrocities committed by Boko Haram, including the killing of thousands of civilians, mass abductions—particularly of girls, boys, and young women—and attacks on schools, teachers, and students to enforce their ideology opposing “Western education.” These actions were described as systematic war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.
Amnesty International also pointed to abuses by the Nigerian military in its counterinsurgency operations. It alleged that military personnel often treated individuals from Boko Haram-controlled areas as suspects, leading to widespread violations such as:
- Extrajudicial killings
- Indiscriminate attacks on civilians
- Rape and sexual violence
- Torture and cruel treatment
- Enforced disappearances
The report also noted the Nigerian military’s possible involvement in crimes against humanity, including systematic targeting of civilian populations and arbitrary detention practices. While Amnesty acknowledged some improvements in the Nigerian government’s approach—such as a reduction in arbitrary detentions, particularly of women and children—it criticized the lack of comprehensive investigations or prosecutions of individuals responsible for crimes under international law.
Sanusi emphasized that the devastating impact of the conflict, exacerbated by abuses from both Boko Haram and government forces, had devastated countless lives over the past decade. Amnesty International continues to call for accountability and justice for victims of human rights violations in North-East Nigeria.
