Amnesty International has reported that dozens of women and young girls who escaped captivity by Boko Haram extremists have faced unlawful detention and abuse within Nigerian military facilities. The report, released on Monday, highlights ongoing human rights violations in the country’s northeast.
The Amnesty International report is based on 126 interviews, mostly with survivors, conducted over the 14 years since Boko Haram launched its insurgency. It documents the harrowing experiences of women and girls who were detained, often along with their children, for extended periods due to their real or perceived associations with the extremist group.
The report echoes longstanding concerns about the Nigerian military’s human rights record, which has faced accusations of extrajudicial killings and illegal arrests throughout one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.
Amnesty International’s findings reveal that the conditions in military detention camps, particularly in Borno state, were so dire that some women chose to return to Boko Haram captivity. Niki Frederiek, a crisis researcher with Amnesty International, described the situation in the detention camps as “horrible,” underscoring the gravity of the abuses.
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At least 31 survivors interviewed by Amnesty reported being held illegally in military facilities. The report indicates that soldiers often insulted these women, labeling them “Boko Haram wives” and blaming them for the extremist group’s actions. Several detainees recounted experiences of beatings and described the detention conditions as amounting to torture or other forms of ill-treatment.
In response to the report, Nigeria’s army dismissed the findings as “unsubstantiated” and emphasized its efforts to improve its human rights record. The military claimed it continues to hold personnel accountable for any violations and has taken significant steps to enhance its adherence to human rights standards.
The Boko Haram insurgency has caused extensive devastation, with the conflict spilling over Nigeria’s borders, resulting in at least 35,000 deaths and displacing over 2 million people. Women and young girls have been particularly vulnerable, often facing forced marriages or sexual abuse while in captivity.
Amnesty International’s regional director for West and Central Africa, Samira Daoud, called on Nigerian authorities to support the reintegration of these women and girls into society. “The Nigerian authorities must support these girls and young women as they fully reintegrate into society,” she said.
While the report notes that prolonged and unlawful detentions have become less common in recent years, the documented abuses highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and accountability within the Nigerian military.
Source: AfricaNews