Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian military of gross human rights violations, alleging that more than 10,000 people have died in military custody since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. This grave claim was unveiled during a press conference on Thursday, where Amnesty’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, revealed that the organisation has filed a case with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
“The Nigerian military has frequently treated anyone from areas controlled by Boko Haram as suspected members of the group,” Sanusi asserted, highlighting a pattern of indiscriminate targeting. He detailed a litany of alleged war crimes committed by government forces, including attacks on civilians, extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances.
Amnesty’s 144-page report, presented at the conference, argues that these acts may constitute crimes against humanity, encompassing murder, extermination, imprisonment, and gender-based persecution. The findings suggest a deliberate policy of systematically targeting civilians, with documented atrocities by both sides of the conflict underscoring a grim narrative.
Boko Haram’s Campaign of Terror
While condemning the Nigerian military, Amnesty International’s report also holds Boko Haram accountable for heinous crimes, including mass killings, abductions, and attacks on educational institutions. “Boko Haram has carried out widespread abductions, particularly of girls and young women, and has attacked schools to prevent what it deems ‘Western’ education,” the report noted.
The insurgent group’s actions have left a trail of devastation, with schools destroyed and entire communities displaced in the region. Amnesty’s findings paint a picture of dual atrocities—the military’s response compounding the civilian suffering caused by Boko Haram’s campaign of terror.
Government Response to ICC Allegations
The allegations come at a time when the Nigerian government is under scrutiny from the ICC. Earlier this week, Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, criticised the prolonged investigation into alleged military crimes by the ICC, labelling it unjust. Speaking at the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in The Hague, Fagbemi defended the military’s actions and Nigeria’s justice system.
“While we respect the court’s mandate to intervene when states are unable or unwilling to prosecute such crimes, it is important to emphasise the principle of complementarity,” Fagbemi stated. “The ICC is meant to act as a court of last resort. Nigeria has consistently demonstrated the will and capacity to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including those committed by Boko Haram.”
Fagbemi cited the findings of a Special Investigative Panel, established by the National Human Rights Commission to address allegations against the military. According to Fagbemi, the panel’s eight-month investigation found no evidence to substantiate claims of mass killings, torture, or underage recruitment.
Mounting Pressure on Nigerian Authorities
Amnesty International’s report and the ICC’s ongoing examination add to mounting international pressure on Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability. Critics argue that the military’s actions, coupled with Boko Haram’s atrocities, have entrenched a cycle of impunity. While the government insists on its commitment to justice and the rule of law, Amnesty’s findings cast a harsh spotlight on the devastating human cost of the conflict in North-East Nigeria.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, were unsuccessful as of the time of publication. The allegations and counterclaims underscore the urgent need for transparency and a resolution to one of the most enduring humanitarian crises in the region.
