Amnesty International Exposes Deaths and Abuse in Kwara Military Camp
Amnesty International has raised alarms over the alleged deaths and mistreatment of detained Fulani pastoralists in Kwara State, Nigeria. According to a damning report released on Tuesday, at least 150 people, predominantly children, perished in a military-controlled camp where displaced individuals were held under dire conditions for months.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata became a grim holding site for approximately 1,500 Fulani men, women, and children. These individuals fled escalating violence in areas like Asa, Edu, Ifelodun, and Patigi local government areas, only to face overcrowded, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions at the camp.
Amnesty’s findings, based on field research conducted between April 5 and 11, revealed disturbing details. Investigators interviewed 60 people, including 30 detainees, survivors, and family members, painting a harrowing picture of life inside the camp. Many detainees reportedly suffered from acute malnutrition and disease, with limited access to food, healthcare, and freedom of movement.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, condemned the treatment of the Fulani community, stating, “They face persecution from both armed groups and the military. Instead of protection, they are denied their basic rights to liberty, livelihood, education, and healthcare.”
The report highlighted the plight of pregnant women, with at least 100 at risk of life-threatening complications due to the lack of maternal care. Images from the camp showed children with visible signs of severe malnutrition, including protruding ribs and extreme weakness.
Survivors recounted heartbreaking stories of loss and suffering. One woman detained at the camp shared, “We didn’t have enough food—sometimes only beans in the evening—and even that wasn’t guaranteed. Many children and pregnant women died from starvation. My twin daughters died there.” Detainees were reportedly forced to pool funds to bury the dead, with some graves holding multiple bodies.
A 43-year-old man who escaped the camp described the situation as catastrophic, estimating that at least 154 people had died by the time he fled. “On the day I escaped, six children died,” he said, attributing the deaths to hunger and disease.
Beyond the deplorable camp conditions, Amnesty accused Nigerian military personnel of profiling and abusing Fulani individuals during security operations. Detainees reported being stopped on commuter buses, searched based on their identity, and sometimes forced to pay bribes to secure their release or recover seized property.
Amnesty called the mass detention of Fulani pastoralists unlawful, violating Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations. The organization urged Nigerian authorities to conduct a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the reported deaths and abuses. “Victims and their families must be granted access to justice and remedies,” Sanusi emphasized.
The allegations come amid ongoing military operations in Kwara State, launched in January 2026 to combat rising attacks by armed groups and bandits. These operations have displaced thousands, particularly in rural forested areas. However, Amnesty argued that displaced persons were often confined in camps without due process, exacerbating their suffering.
Nigeria’s security crisis, marked by banditry, insurgency, and communal violence, continues to place civilians in the crossfire. As of the report’s release, Nigerian military authorities had not publicly responded to Amnesty’s findings, nor had inquiries sent to army spokesperson Appolonia Anele been addressed.
Amnesty International’s revelations underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform in Nigeria’s handling of displacement and security operations. The international community is now watching closely as calls for justice grow louder.
— Reported by Nexio News
