A controversial claim by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has sparked fresh debate online after he suggested that the reported deaths of Fulani detainees in Nigeria only gained attention because foreign media outlets highlighted it.
However, the core of the story originates from a report by Amnesty International, which alleged that at least 150 members of the Fulani ethnic group died while being held in a military-run facility in Kwara State, northwestern Nigeria.
According to the report, around 1,500 Fulani civilians were detained for several months in the camp, which was reportedly established following a rise in insecurity in the region. Amnesty International claims that most of the recorded deaths were children, with starvation and disease cited as the main causes.
The rights organisation described the conditions as severe and called for an urgent, independent investigation into what happened inside the facility. It also raised concerns about access to food, medical care, and the general welfare of detainees, including pregnant women who were said to be in critical condition.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters acknowledged awareness of the allegations and said that an internal investigation had been launched. However, authorities have not confirmed the reported death toll, and details surrounding the camp’s operations remain unclear.
The situation in Kwara State has been shaped by rising insecurity, with local officials and residents previously reporting increased attacks linked to armed groups. In response, security operations in parts of the region reportedly led to the relocation of civilians into controlled facilities for screening and protection.
Human rights groups argue that reguardless of security pressures, the treatment of civilians must follow international humanitarian standards. They have urged transparency, accountability, and unrestricted access for independent investigators to verify what occurred.
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