Wawa Barracks Is Not a Genocide Camp: Inside Nigeria’s Multi-Agency Counter-Terrorism Detention System

By: Zagazola Makama

Amid viral social media claims alleging “genocide by unlawful detention” and “secret execution of detainees” at the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, findings by Zagazola Investigation reveal a very different reality: Wawa is not a secret torture camp, but one of Nigeria’s three structured, multi-agency detention and investigation hubs used for handling suspects arrested in terrorism-related operations.

The claims have gained traction on some fringe advocacy platforms. But investigation by Zagazola Investigation, involving interviews with senior security officials, lawyers involved in terrorism prosecutions, and independent monitors, shows a much different reality one backed by documentation, video, pictures, court records, and multilateral oversight.

Contrary to online report, the facility does not hold individuals simply for political dissent or IPOB sympathy. Instead, those kept at Wawa are individuals classified as high-risk terrorism suspects, already screened, investigated and recommended for prosecution under federal anti-terrorism law.

Rather than a clandestine “genocide camp,” Wawa Cantonment operates as one of the federally designated holding centres for terrorism suspects awaiting trial transferred from the Northeast joint operations theatre. Its detainees are not randomly arrested civilians, they are individuals classified after investigation as high-risk Boko Haram / ISWAP or other related terrorism suspects to be prosecuted under the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011, 2013, amended 2022).

The centre of the process is the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC), a multi-agency counterterrorism facility established to: “hold, screen, investigate and categorize suspected terrorists arrested by frontline units.”

They are screened and investigated by the Complex Casework Group( CCG) represented from Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Defence Intelligence Agency NSCDC, NDLEA, Immigration and Office of Attorney General.

The CCG, a team of federal lawyers, vets every file and determines those that will be sent to sent to Kainji/Giwa for trial, those that will be rehabilitated through Operation Safe Corridor and those that required to be reintegrated are handed over to Borno State Government. Biometric data, case files, and legal opinions accompany every transfer.

After preliminary arrest at the frontline: Suspect is transferred to JIC with exhibits and initial report, Case file opened, investigators from multiple agencies interview the suspect, Federal High Court grants remand order for detention.
Therefore, contrary to online claims of torture and starvation, JIC operates under internationally monitored guidelines:

Zagazola found out that the inmate were fed three meals daily, with supplements for malnourished suspects Medical care
On-site clinic, referral to UMTH and 7 Div Hospital. TB cases are isolated and treated
while all detainees are issued new clothing, underwear, toiletries Psychosocial wellbeing
TV in cells, physical exercise times, library and skills acquisition.

While family link restoration message delivered to families through ICRC. Notably, children detained with mothers receive basic education, while adults undergo skills training: tailoring, cap-making, poultry, fish farming, barbing.

Senior Military official overseeing JIC operations: “We do not have authority to detain indefinitely. Every person here is under a court-issued remand order. We investigate; lawyers decide. We do not sentence.”

Barr. Ahmed Mainasara, federal terrorism prosecutor (AGF delegation): said There are no secret trials. We conduct legal reviews, issue remand orders, and ensure suspects’ rights are respected. The public simply does not understand the process.”

“Genocide requires intent to wipe out a people. Detention and prosecution of terrorism suspects is lawful. The word genocide is being misused for propaganda.”Mainasara said.

He said that the trial for terrorism cases are held inside military locations because witnesses and investigators cannot be exposed publicly. It is a security necessity, not secrecy.”he said.

ICRC representative, (name withheld): “We have unrestricted access to all detainees. Any claim that these places are ‘off the books’ is false.”

The narrative circulating online claims that hundreds were secretly executed.
Security officials clarified to Zagazola Investigation: “About 200 suspects have been tried and sentenced, not executed. Many are serving long sentences in Kainji Correctional Facility.” Court records reviewed include: FHC/ABJ/CR/21/2019, FHC/KNJ/CR/42/2022, among others.

Military top official overseeing the facilities, told Zagazola that the detention facility in Wawa Barracks, Niger State, is not an illegal facility as alleged. It is backed by a Remand Order issued by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Justice for the continued detention of suspects such as high-profile Boko Haram terrorists, bandit leaders and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) pending the conclusion of their cases.

“The Nigerian Army’s role is purely to provide security and ensure the safety of the facility, its personnel and all individuals lawfully detained pending the completion of their trials. The trial of suspects in the facility is conducted by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“These proceedings are transparently conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They are also regularly attended by other International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), human rights observers and relevant stakeholders, ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law and international standards.

“Contrary to the false narrative being circulated, the outcomes of these trials are always made public through the media, reflecting the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

Zagazola Investigation found no evidence supporting claims of genocide, secret executions or unlawful detention at Wawa Cantonment. Instead, Nigeria operates a structured, multi-agency, court-regulated system that includes humanitarian oversight arguably one of the most transparent counter-terrorism detention models in Sub-Saharan Africa.

While detention timelines need improvement and more terrorism courts are required, the narrative of mass killing and genocide inside Wawa is false, and unsupported by evidence.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

Wawa Barracks Is Not a Genocide Camp: Inside Nigeria’s Multi-Agency Counter-Terrorism Detention System