Amnesty International is urging the Nigerian military’s Operation Hadin Kai to either formally charge or release numerous civilians currently held at the Joint Investigation Centre in Maiduguri’s Giwa Barracks. In a recent statement, the group highlighted concerns regarding prolonged detention without trial, which it argues violates the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and international humanitarian standards.
The organization documented multiple cases of individuals detained for extended periods, often without access to legal counsel or their families. These include Mohammed Kontoma, a petrol vendor apprehended in August 2025; pickup driver Aisami Abatcha, who was allegedly detained after refusing a bribe at a Civilian Joint Task Force checkpoint; and charcoal seller Abubakar Isa Izge, whose family reported the disappearance of significant funds during his arrest. Other cases involve Umar Usman, a fisherman held since 2024; Abor Modu, who was allegedly detained after reporting extortion; and Kyari Modu Kukawa, who has been held since October 2025.
Amnesty International is demanding an independent investigation into these instances of alleged extortion and arbitrary arrests by security personnel and CJTF members. They emphasized that detention without trial is not a substitute for the judicial process. The group insists that Nigerian authorities must provide all detainees with access to lawyers, guarantee their right to a fair trial, and immediately release those against whom there is no credible evidence of a crime.
