NGO seeks NHRC probe over alleged prolonged detention, enforced disappearance of civilians at Wawa Barracks
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), to urgently investigate allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance and prolonged military detention of civilians at the Wawa Military Barracks in Niger State.
In a petition dated July 29, 2026 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said his organisation was acting on testimonies from former detainees, families of detainees, lawyers, human rights defenders and investigative media reports.
The group cited recent reports by SaharaReporters and HumAngle which alleged that civilians, including persons accused of terrorism-related offences, alleged IPOB members, those arrested during security operations in the Southeast, #EndSARS protesters, students, lawyers and underage persons — have been held for prolonged periods without charge or trial.
According to the petition, detainees are allegedly blindfolded before arrival, held incommunicado, denied access to lawyers and family, and kept in overcrowded and degrading conditions. Former detainees reportedly described inadequate food, poor sanitation, lack of medical care, physical abuse, psychological trauma and deaths in custody.
RULAAC also referenced public statements by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore alleging that civilians are being detained in secrecy at the facility and that some judicial proceedings may have been conducted within the barracks.
The group said if substantiated, the allegations would violate Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention Against Torture.
RULAAC is asking the NHRC to among other things; institute an urgent, independent and transparent investigation into the allegations, conduct an unannounced inspection of the detention facility, obtain a complete register of all civilian detainees and their legal status and interview detainees privately without military presence.
The NGO is also demanding that the NHRC investigate the allegations of torture, deaths in custody and enforced disappearances of the detainees, and to facilitate access for lawyers, families, medical practitioners and human rights groups.
It adds: “Ensure immediate release of unlawfully detained civilians and charge others before civilian courts.
“Publish a comprehensive report with recommendations for accountability and remedies
“The constitutional responsibility of the Armed Forces to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity does not authorize detention practices that circumvent constitutional safeguards,” Nwanguma, stated in the petition.
The group urged the Commission to treat the matter as “one of exceptional public importance” and pledged to provide additional information and facilitate contact with affected families and former detainees.
