By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has described as misleading the recirculation of an old report attributed to Amnesty International alleging the death of detainees, including children, at Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Maiduguri, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters OPHK, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the report dates back to 2016 and has no connection with events or conditions at the facility in 2026.
According to him, the recirculation of the report without appropriate historical context is capable of creating the false impression that the reported deaths are recent occurrences.
“For clarity, the Amnesty International report was published in May 2016 and the figures contained therein relate to alleged deaths recorded between January and May of that year,” the statement said.
Captain Goni stressed that while the report represents Amnesty International’s account of events at the time, its contents should not be presented as a current development or used to characterise the prevailing situation at the facility a decade later.
He urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to exercise due diligence when reproducing archival reports, particularly those concerning sensitive security and humanitarian matters.
He said such reports should be accompanied by their original dates and relevant context to ensure that historical allegations are not inadvertently presented as current events.
The military further disclosed that the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks continues to operate in accordance with extant Nigerian laws, established procedures and applicable international standards.
The Centre, according to OPHK, 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.
It added that the Centre maintains engagement with relevant humanitarian and human rights organisations, while access has been granted to national and international media organisations in 2026 to observe its activities and prevailing conditions.
“Accordingly, OPHK reiterates its commitment to professional conduct, respect for applicable laws and standards, and the continuous improvement of the management and welfare of persons in its custody,” the statement said.
The Joint Task Force said it remains focused on its mandate to restore lasting peace and normalcy across the North East through sustained and professionally conducted operations.
It encouraged the public to verify the date, source and context of security-related reports before sharing them, and called on media organisations to uphold responsible reporting by clearly distinguishing historical reports from current developments.
