Operation HADIN KAI Clarifies Recirculated 2016 Giwa Barracks Detainee Report
Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has clarified that a report by Amnesty International alleging deaths of detainees, including children, at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri is an archival report from 2016 and does not relate to current conditions at the facility.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the report, originally published by Amnesty International in May 2016, concerned alleged deaths recorded between January and May of that year.
Goni said the report was currently being recirculated without its historical context, which could create the impression that the reported deaths were recent.
He acknowledged that the 2016 publication represented Amnesty International’s account of events at the time, but stressed that its contents should not be presented as a current development or used to characterise conditions at Giwa Barracks in 2026.
OPHK therefore urged media organisations, online platforms and members of the public to exercise due diligence when sharing archival reports, particularly those relating to sensitive security and humanitarian issues.
The task force advised that historical reports should always retain their original publication dates and relevant context to prevent past allegations from being mistaken for current events and to avoid unnecessary public concern.
Meanwhile, OPHK said the Joint Investigation Centre at Giwa Barracks continues to operate in accordance with Nigerian laws, established procedures and applicable international standards.
According to the statement, the centre places emphasis on the welfare and lawful treatment of detainees, including access to necessary care, skills acquisition, vocational training, as well as Western and Islamic education.
The centre also maintains engagement with relevant humanitarian and human rights organisations, while national and international media organisations were granted access in 2026 to observe its activities and prevailing conditions, OPHK said.
The Joint Task Force 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.
OPHK also urged the public to verify the date, source and context of security-related reports before sharing them, particularly when such reports concern events from previous years.
The task force called on media organisations to uphold responsible and accurate reporting by clearly distinguishing historical reports from current developments in the North East.
Operation HADIN KAI Clarifies Recirculated 2016 Giwa Barracks Detainee Report