The Headquarters 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 dates back to 2016 and does not relate to conditions at the facility in 2026.
In a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, OPHK said the report was published by Amnesty International in May 2016 and contained allegations concerning deaths allegedly recorded between January and May of that year.
The Joint Task Force said the report represented Amnesty International’s account of events during that period, but cautioned against presenting its contents as a current development or using them to characterise conditions at Giwa Barracks a decade later.
“[The report] has no connection with events or conditions at the facility in 2026,” OPHK said, describing its current circulation without historical context as misleading and capable of creating the false impression that the reported deaths were recent.
The military urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to exercise due diligence when reproducing archival reports, particularly those dealing with sensitive security and humanitarian issues.
According to OPHK, historical reports should always be accompanied by their original publication dates and appropriate context to prevent past allegations from being inadvertently presented as current events or from generating unnecessary public apprehension.
The Joint Task Force said the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks currently operates in accordance with applicable Nigerian laws, established procedures and relevant international standards.
It said the centre places emphasis on the welfare, lawful treatment and rehabilitation of detainees, including access to necessary care, skills acquisition and vocational training, as well as Western and Islamic education.
OPHK added that the centre maintains engagement with relevant humanitarian and human-rights organisations and had granted access to national and international media organisations in 2026 to observe its activities and prevailing conditions.
The military formation 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.
It said the Joint Task Force remained focused on its mandate of restoring lasting peace and normalcy across the North-East through sustained and professionally conducted operations.
OPHK urged members of the public to verify the date, source and context of security-related reports before accepting or sharing them, particularly reports concerning events from previous years.
It also called on media organisations to uphold responsible and accurate reporting by clearly distinguishing historical reports from current developments in the North-East.
