The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted the military’s invitation of Amnesty International (AI) to substantiate its claims of 10,000 civilian deaths in military detention.

Describing the action as illegal and potential misuse of power, the group insisted that such an invitation undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law, warning against any move that might suppress civil rights or bypass legal proceedings.

The controversy began when Amnesty International alleged, during a press conference in Maiduguri on December 5, 2024, that over 10,000 civilians had died in military detention in the heat of the sect’s deadly operations in North East.

The military in its response articulated through a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, dismissed the allegations as “malicious, shocking, lacking in merit, and mischievous.”

In its rebuttal, the military emphasised its adherence to international humanitarian law and rules of engagement, asserting that it conducts operations professionally and avoids civilian casualties.

Buba also highlighted the existence of court martials within operational theatres to address any misconduct among personnel and extended an invitation to Amnesty International to present evidence.

However, reacting to the invitation yesterday, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, challenged the legal basis for such a move, stating that the military is not a court of law, as defined under Section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution.