Amnesty International Reports 149 Deaths at Borno Barracks

Amnesty International disclosed that 149 detainees, including at least 12 children, died at Giwa Barracks, a military detention facility in Maiduguri, Borno, between January and May. The organization reported that 65 deaths occurred in March 2016 alone.

The likely causes of these deaths included disease, hunger, dehydration, severe overcrowding, and gunshot wounds. Amnesty International highlighted the deplorable conditions faced by detainees, which were severely inadequate for the number of individuals held at the facility.

The report raised significant concerns regarding the treatment and welfare of detainees, particularly the high number of fatalities among children and babies in military custody. The combination of disease, lack of adequate food and water, overcrowding, and injuries contributed to the deaths documented by the organization.