According to Amnesty International, the deaths involved members of the Fulani community relocated to a camp in Yikpata, after rising attacks by armed groups prompted a military operation in the area. Amnesty International said about 1 500 people were moved into the camp, with allegations that living conditions deteriorated sharply over the past three months.
The Nigerian military has rejected the claims, stating that no verifiable evidence has been provided to substantiate the reported deaths.
Speaking to Channel Africa on Friday, Amnesty International Nigeria Executive Director Isa Sanusi said Amnesty International’s monitoring covered the past three months, with verification steps including visits to burial sites.
Amnesty International said conditions inside the camp were “deplorable”, with restricted movement, limited access to basic services, plus a loss of normal livelihoods.
Sanusi argued that the camp’s existence is unlawful, citing concerns that confinement strips residents of freedom of movement plus places residents outside normal legal protections.
Sanusi said relocation occurred during a security operation launched in Kwara State after a reported deterioration in safety from January. Sanusi said Fulani pastoralist families were directed to gather at a designated point as part of an effort to “clear the bush”, after which military vehicles transported the group to the camp.
Amnesty International said multiple warnings were raised publicly before the latest appeal, including references to social media content portraying poor conditions. Sanusi said the main response observed was tightened control over access to the camp, rather than improvements in welfare or legal clarity on detention.
Sanusi warned that prolonged confinement without charges, plus without a defined legal basis, risks creating severe long-term harm for displaced communities. Sanusi also linked the situation to a wider humanitarian crisis in northern Nigeria, with reports of repeated displacement of villages plus civilians living in overcrowded, improvised shelters
Amnesty International said security measures aimed at fighting armed groups must prioritise civilian protection, with safeguards to ensure displaced communities do not become further victims of state security operations.
–ChannelAfrica–
