Amnesty International Urges Probe into Alleged Arbitrary Detentions at Giwa Barracks

By Abdulsalam Alkali

Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian military authorities under Operation Hadin Kai to either charge civilians held at the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State, to court or release them immediately, alleging prolonged arbitrary detention without trial.

In a statement, the human rights organization said its investigation uncovered what it described as a disturbing pattern of arbitrary arrests, extortion, and prolonged detention of civilians across Borno State without formal charges or access to legal representation.

According to Amnesty International, the alleged practices violate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

The organization cited several individual cases, including that of Mohammed Kontoma, a roadside petrol seller from Konduga Local Government Area, who was reportedly arrested in Maiduguri while transporting 25 litres of petrol in jerrycans. Amnesty alleged that Kontoma has remained in detention at Giwa Barracks since August 2025 without being charged before a court.

Another case highlighted was that of Aisami Abatcha, a pick-up driver from Gubio Local Government Area, who was allegedly arrested on 13 April 2026 along the Dunga-Gubio Road after refusing to pay a bribe allegedly demanded by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) at a checkpoint. Amnesty claimed he was subsequently handed over to military authorities and has remained in custody.

The organization also alleged that Abubakar Isa Izge, a charcoal trader from Gwoza Local Government Area, was arrested the same day in Gidan Dambe by officers believed to be from the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to Giwa Barracks. According to Amnesty, members of his family reported that ₦700,000 went missing during the arrest.

In another case, Amnesty said Umar Usman, a fisherman from Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, was arrested in 2024 for allegedly using a small solar panel to charge mobile phones. The organization claimed he has remained in detention for two years without formal charges or access to his family.

The report further alleged that Abor Modu from Jere Local Government Area was detained after reporting alleged extortion and threats by members of the CJTF, while Kyari Modu Kukawa was reportedly arrested along the Damasak road in Mobbar Local Government Area in October 2025 and has since remained in detention without trial or access to legal representation.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to investigate the allegations of arbitrary arrests and extortion at security checkpoints, particularly those involving CJTF personnel. It also called for all detainees to be granted prompt access to lawyers, their families, and the courts.

The organization stressed that the right to liberty requires that no individual be arrested without reasonable suspicion of committing a recognizable criminal offence. It further noted that the right to a fair trial includes being brought promptly before a judge, access to legal representation, protection from torture or other forms of ill-treatment, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

As of the time of filing this report, Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and the Civilian Joint Task Force had not publicly responded to the allegations.