Nigerian army illegally detains girls who escape from Boko Haram, says Amnesty International.
- Amnesty International accuses Nigerian army of detaining escaped Boko Haram captives.
- Military denies allegations, claims respect for human rights.
- 31 women held in military barracks for up to four years.
- Amnesty criticizes government and military for failing to protect women.
Amnesty International accused the Nigerian army on Monday of illegally detaining girls and young women who escaped from Boko Haram captivity. The human rights group alleged that the military believes these individuals support the Islamist insurgent group.
The military denied the allegations in a statement, claiming they respect human rights and uphold humanitarian law. Amnesty International’s report was based on 126 interviews conducted between 2019 and 2024 with female former captives.
Thirty-one of these individuals reported being unlawfully held in military barracks for periods ranging from several days to almost four years. These detentions occurred between 2015 and mid-2023, often due to perceived association with Boko Haram.
Boko Haram has been fighting an armed rebellion in Nigeria’s Northeast since 2009, resulting in over 35,000 deaths, according to the UN. The group has been accused of various human rights abuses, including torture, rape, forced marriage, and kidnapping.
Amnesty International’s regional director, Samira Daoud, criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect and support these girls and young women. The military’s actions have also been criticized for their harsh tactics, including a secret mass abortion program revealed by a Reuters investigation last year.
