Amnesty International has called on Nigerian military authorities under Operation Hadin Kai to immediately charge to court or release civilians allegedly being held for prolonged periods without trial at the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, The human rights organisation also called for an investigation into allegations of arbitrary arrests, extortion and prolonged detention, saying such practices could violate protections guaranteed under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as applicable international human rights and humanitarian law.

“People should not be held indefinitely without charge, access to legal representation or an opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of their detention,” Amnesty International said.

According to cases documented by the organisation, civilians from different parts of Borno State have allegedly been arrested and detained for extended periods without being formally charged.

Among those cited is Mohammed Kontoma, a roadside petrol seller from Konduga Local Government Area. Amnesty International said Kontoma was arrested in Maiduguri in August 2025 while carrying 25 litres of fuel in containers and has allegedly remained in Giwa Barracks without trial.

The organisation also highlighted the case of Aisami Abatcha, a local pick-up driver from Gubio LGA, who was reportedly arrested on April 13, 2026, along the Dunga-Gubio road.

According to the account documented by Amnesty International, Abatcha was arrested after allegedly refusing to pay a bribe demanded by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) at a checkpoint before being handed over to military authorities.

Another detainee, Abubakar Isa Izge, a charcoal seller from Gwoza LGA, was allegedly arrested on the same day in Gidan Dambe by officers reported to be from the Department of State Services and subsequently transferred to Giwa Barracks.

His family alleged that N700,000 went missing during his arrest, an allegation Amnesty International said should be independently investigated.

The organisation further cited the case of Umar Usman, a fisherman from Baga town in Kukawa LGA, who was reportedly arrested in 2024 after using a small solar panel to charge mobile phones. Amnesty International said he has remained in detention for about two years without formal charges or access to his family.

It also raised concerns about Abor Modu, from Jere LGA, who was allegedly implicated and detained after reporting CJTF members over alleged extortion and threats of abduction.

In another case, Kyari Modu Kukawa was reportedly arrested while travelling in his vehicle along a road in Damasak, Mobbar LGA, in October 2025. Amnesty International said he was subsequently taken to Giwa Barracks and has allegedly remained there without trial or access to lawyers and family members.

Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of arbitrary arrests and extortion involving CJTF personnel at checkpoints across Borno State and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is established.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate allegations of arbitrary arrests and extortion at checkpoints and ensure that anyone reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility is brought to justice through a fair process,” the organisation said.

It also called on the authorities to guarantee detainees access to lawyers and their families and ensure that anyone deprived of liberty is promptly brought before a competent court.

“The right to liberty means that no person should be arrested or detained without lawful grounds, including reasonable suspicion of having committed a recognisable criminal offence.

“The right to a fair trial also includes being brought promptly before a judge, having access to legal representation, being protected from torture and other ill-treatment, and being presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty,” Amnesty International said.

Amnesty International called on the military authorities to review the cases of civilians being held at the JIC and either bring credible criminal charges before a competent court or release those against whom there is insufficient evidence.

It said allegations surrounding the conduct of security personnel and CJTF members should be subjected to prompt, independent and impartial investigations.

“Prolonged detention without charge or trial cannot become a substitute for justice.

“Anyone suspected of an offence should be charged and given a fair trial; those against whom there is no sufficient evidence should be released,” it said.

A police officer and three civilians have been killed following a fresh attack by suspected Lakurawa militants in Girkau community, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident was disclosed in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst, Bakatsine, who said the attack also left several people injured.

According to the post, the slain police officer was identified as Hussaini Manyu.

“The attackers were also said to have killed an elderly man, Bala Wakili, and a young herder who reportedly refused to hand over his cattle,” Bakatsine said.

Bakatsine added that the gunmen shot another farmer while he was working on his farmland.

The attackers also reportedly set a police Hilux vehicle and another belonging to the Community Guard on fire before fleeing the area.

The post further claimed that the militants rustled an unspecified number of cattle during the raid.

In addition, a married woman was reportedly beaten after she resisted an attempted sexual assault by the attackers.

“How many more warnings must become death notices before vulnerable communities receive the protection they deserve?,” Bakatsine wrote.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations over alleged burglary and possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp in Bauchi metropolis.

The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) during routine patrols on August 3, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, ANIPR, FFIS, the first operation took place at about 2:00 p.m. in Doya Quarters, Bauchi, where officers intercepted a tricycle with registration number TRR123VD carrying three occupants.

The suspects were identified as Sadiq Abdullahi, 27; Muhammad Suleman, 18; and Aliyu Abubakar, 21, who was identified by police as the tricycle rider.

Police said a search led to the recovery of four boxes containing assorted new shoes, clothes and jewellery, a 6kg gas cylinder, a 32-inch LG flat-screen television and a table gas cooker.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to conspiring with one Nanu, currently at large, to break into a dwelling house at Unguwar Sarakuna and steal the said items,” the police statement said.

The owner of the affected house and his wife were subsequently traced. The wife reportedly told investigators that she travelled to Jos on July 31 and left the properties in her room. She alleged that some clothes and a gold earring were still missing.

Two Arrested Over Suspected Indian Hemp

In a separate operation at about 4:00 p.m. the same day, VCRU operatives patrolling the Bayan Gari area arrested Mansur Sani, 25, and Umar Muhammad, 30, both residents of Bakin Kura, Bauchi.

Police alleged that the two men were seen exchanging two parcels containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The Command said investigations into both incidents had commenced, while efforts were underway to arrest the fleeing suspect linked to the burglary and identify the alleged supplier of the suspected cannabis.

“The suspects will subsequently be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc(+), commended the VCRU operatives for what he described as their vigilance and professionalism.

He also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state and urged residents to continue providing useful information to the police.