Amnesty International Alleges 150 Fulani Detainees, Mostly Children, Died In Kwara Camp, Demands Probe
30th April, 2026 | News
Amnesty International Alleges 150 Deaths at Military-Controlled Camp in Kwara
YIKPATA, KWARA STATE — Amnesty International has issued a harrowing report calling for an immediate investigation into the deaths of at least 150 Fulani pastoralists, predominantly children, at a military-controlled detention facility in Kwara State.
The victims were part of a group of approximately 1,500 people held at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Yikpata. According to the rights group, these individuals had initially fled attacks by armed groups in local government areas such as Asa, Edu, and Patigi, only to be moved into prolonged detention by the Nigerian military.
“Suffering and Starvation”
Researchers from Amnesty International visited the camp in early April 2026, describing a humanitarian disaster characterized by:
- Mass Malnutrition: Researchers documented children with visible ribs and protruding shoulder blades, many too weak to stand or walk.
- Lack of Medical Care: At least 100 pregnant women are reportedly facing life-threatening complications due to a total absence of maternal healthcare.
- Unsanitary Conditions: The facility is described as severely overcrowded, with residents suffering from widespread disease and acute food shortages.
Survivors’ Accounts
The report includes chilling testimony from those who experienced the camp firsthand:
- Mass Burials: One mother recounted the loss of her twin daughters, stating that the community had to contribute ₦60,000 to buy white shrouds because the number of deaths was so high. She claimed they were forced to bury three corpses in a single grave.
- Daily Mortality: A 43-year-old man who escaped the facility claimed that six children died on the day he fled, bringing the total estimated death toll to 154 at the time of his departure.
Allegations of Ethnic Profiling
Amnesty International Nigeria’s Executive Director, Isa Sanusi, condemned the operation as unlawful ethnic profiling.
“It is unlawful for a security operation to target individuals, whole families, and whole villages based on their ethnicity,” Sanusi stated. “Instead of receiving protection, they are being denied their rights to personal liberty, livelihood, and healthcare.”
The organization argues that the camp exists “outside the protection of the law,” in flagrant violation of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations.
Demands for Accountability
Amnesty is calling on the Nigerian government to:
- Conduct an Independent Probe: A transparent, impartial investigation into the 150 reported deaths.
- End Arbitrary Detention: Immediate release of the pastoralists and an end to discriminatory profiling.
- Ensure Justice: Prosecute those responsible for the neglect and deaths, and provide remedies for the survivors and their families.
As of April 30, the Nigerian military and federal authorities have yet to issue an official response to the specific allegations regarding the Yikpata camp.