Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Army has rejected allegations of torture and inhumane treatment at its detention facility in Sokoto, following the death of a soldier in custody, even as it announced a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A statement signed by the 8 Division Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, described claims contained in an online petition by legal practitioner Malcolm Omirhobo as “false” and a “gross misrepresentation.” The petition had alleged brutality, intimidation, and reprisals against detainees at the 8 Division Provost Group Detention Facility in Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State.
The Army, however, confirmed the death of Lance Corporal Bala Hudu, whose case is at the centre of the controversy. According to the statement, Hudu had been undergoing military trials since April 2023 over the killing of a commercial motorcycle operator in Katsina State. During the proceedings, the Army said, it discovered the soldier had underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, hyperopia and allergic conjunctivitis, for which he was receiving treatment. It added that the deceased had unrestricted access to his family and legal counsel and was under continuous medical supervision.
The Army explained that on April 15, 2026, Hudu was admitted to the Accident and Emergency unit of the 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital with symptoms including headache, body weakness and rapid breathing. “He was subsequently diagnosed with severe pneumonia and malaria. His condition deteriorated on April 17, leading to his untimely death, likely due to complications from his underlying ailments,” the statement read. Amid public concern, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division has constituted an independent Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident. “The process is ongoing, transparent and thorough, in line with military protocols,” the Army said, inviting the petitioner and other interested parties to testify before the panel between April 29 and May 10, 2026.
The Army also firmly denied the broader allegations of ongoing torture, intimidation or reprisal against detainees. Lieutenant Colonel Osoba stated, “Our detention facilities adhere to international standards, ensuring the dignity and welfare of detainees.” He also stressed that the administration of military justice strictly follows the Armed Forces Act and Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees human dignity. “The GOC maintains a zero-tolerance stance against extra-judicial actions, torture or degrading treatment. Any personnel found culpable will face severe disciplinary measures,” he added.
The controversy stems from a petition circulating online in which Omirhobo alleged systematic abuse of detainees at the Giginya Cantonment facility. The petition also accused military authorities of a cover-up regarding the cause of the soldier’s death. The Army, in its response, offered a detailed medical chronology of the deceased soldier’s final days, including a diagnosis of severe pneumonia and malaria, which it said led to his death.
The case draws attention to broader concerns about detention conditions and human rights compliance within security institutions in Nigeria, particularly in conflict-prone regions where military operations are ongoing. The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Sokoto, oversees operations in parts of the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, an ongoing campaign targeting banditry and other security threats.
As the investigation proceeds, the Army has urged the public to disregard what it calls “baseless allegations” and to trust in its institutional integrity. The outcome of the Board of Inquiry is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding Hudu’s death and address the competing claims between the Army and rights advocates. The sitting dates for the inquiry have been fixed between April 29 and May 10, 2026, and the Army has invited the petitioner and all other interested parties to testify.
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