Giwa barracks is a military detention center located in northeastern Nigeria, near the city of Maiduguri. Since 2014, the facility has been attacked multiple times by Boko Haram, as prisoners in the facility are mostly confirmed or suspected members of Boko Haram and their families.[2][3][4] In 2016, the prison held an estimated 1,200 prisoners.[1] Human rights groups such as Amnesty International have accused the Nigerian military of mistreating and torturing prisoners, as well as running the facility "inhumanely".[5]
  Giwa barracks Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates | 11°47′55″N 13°10′20″E / 11.79861°N 13.17222°E |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,200[1] (as of 2016) |
| City | Maiduguri |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Notable prisoners | |
| Members of Boko Haram (ISIL/ISWAP) | |
History
editIn 2014, Amnesty International reported that 600 people had been killed after Boko Haram raided and briefly overran Giwa barracks. Most of those who were killed were prisoners who had been recaptured and executed by the military.[3][5]
In 2015, Giwa barracks was attacked by Boko Haram three times in January, February and May, and bombed once in March.[6]
In May 2016, Amnesty International reported that between January and April 2016, at least 149 detainees had died from hunger and/or mistreatment. This claim was denied by the Nigerian government and the military.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Gigova, Radina. "Nigeria's Giwa barracks 'place of death,' rights group says". CNN. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Boko Haram Giwa barracks attack: Nigerian army 'killed hundreds'". BBC News. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Nigeria Giwa barracks 'a place of death' says Amnesty". BBC News. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ Nossiter, Adam (20 March 2014). "Nigerian Army Facing Questions as Death Toll Soars After Prison Attack". BBC Online. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Amnesty International: 1,500 Nigerians Killed in Boko Haram Violence in 2014". Voice of America. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Ola, Lanre (13 May 2015). "Suspected Boko Haram militants attack Nigeria's Maiduguri". Reuters. Retrieved 11 May 2016.