The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has reacted to Amnesty International incriminating report that accused the Nigerian Armed Forces of unlawful killings, saying the report is “largely unsubstantiated”.
In a statement by Brigadier General John Agim, Acting Director Defence Information, the Nigerian Armed Forces said that contrary to the report of torture by Amnesty International, Boko Haram detainees were actually fed three square meals daily.
“The figures released by the organization showed that 4,900 Boko Haram detainees were held in Giwa Barracks in an overcrowded facility where 340 detainees had already died of diseases and dehydration.
“They further stated that 164 civilians were killed by the Nigerian Air Force when an IDP camp was hit at Rann by a Nigerian Air Force fighter Jet and also that 12 IPOB members were killed in Umuahia by the AFN.
“Unfortunately, AI have failed to acknowledge the on-going fair trial and conviction of culpable members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and the release of those not found guilty.
“The number of persons released and re-integrated with the larger community is over 500. Both the convicted and freed suspects were earlier arrested from different locations across the country and taken to Kainji, a place that is relatively safer with enough space to accommodate them while providing the detainees with 3 square meals daily.
“The suspects were also given proper medical attention by military medical team attached to the detention facility,” Brigadier General Agim said.