Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate reports that at least 150 people, mostly children, died in an army-run camp in Kwara State, while the military has dismissed the claims as unfounded.
According to Amnesty, the victims were among about 1,500 members of the Fulani community relocated to a camp in Yikpata after fleeing repeated attacks by armed groups.
The organization said conditions in the camp were dire, alleging overcrowding, poor sanitation, restricted movement, and widespread hunger and disease.
“Instead of finding safety, they face overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, restrictions on their movements, acute malnutrition and disease,” Amnesty said in a statement.
It added that researchers who visited the camp in April spoke with survivors who described cases of starvation and illness, with some reporting that multiple bodies were buried in single graves.
However, the Nigerian Army strongly denied the allegations.
“There is no verifiable evidence to support such an allegation,” said Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations.
“I doubt its veracity. Nothing like this has happened,” he added.
The reports come amid growing pressure on communities in parts of north-central Nigeria, where security analysts say armed groups and insurgents have been expanding their reach beyond traditional conflict zones.
The conflicting accounts highlight ongoing concerns about humanitarian conditions in displacement and detention facilities, as well as the challenge of independently verifying claims in conflict-affected areas.
