Amnesty Int’l Accuses Nigerian Military of Forcibly Evicting Villagers Amid Escalating Boko Haram Attacks in Borno

By Tgnews Reporter

Amnesty International has strongly criticised the Nigerian military for demolishing over 500 homes and forcibly displacing more than 1,500 civilians in Ganari community, Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, in response to a recent surge in attacks by the insurgent group Boko Haram.

The rights organisation described the operation as an “unlawful tactic” with a devastating impact on already vulnerable civilians, many of whom have been displaced multiple times by the long-running conflict in the northeast.

According to Amnesty International, the demolition and forced eviction exercise began around 10:00 pm on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Military personnel reportedly oversaw the destruction of homes, leaving thousands of families including women, children, and the elderly without shelter.

Ganari lies approximately three kilometres from Monguno town, the local government headquarters, which hosts both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local residents.

Witnesses said residents, facing imminent demolition, desperately stripped their own houses of roofing sheets and other valuable materials in a bid to salvage possessions before the structures were reduced to rubble.

One affected resident, speaking to Amnesty researchers, described the dire situation: “Right now many residents are displaced. Many of us are stranded, sleeping on the streets, while some are trying to find shelter with friends and relatives.

“As for me, I am currently in an open space, trying to find somewhere to rest, but I must clear the ground first because it is used for open defecation.”

The families affected have endured years of suffering due to the Boko Haram insurgency, with some reportedly displaced more than twice.

The latest evictions have compounded their hardship, pushing many into further destitution in a region already strained by insecurity and limited humanitarian support.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government not to ignore these alleged violations. “The Nigerian government must not brush these violations under the carpet,” the organisation said.

“They must be thoroughly and impartially investigated. Necessary steps must also be taken to ensure that military operations do not further forcibly displace civilian populations.”

The incident comes against the backdrop of renewed Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks in Borno State.

Recent assaults have targeted military positions in and around Monguno, resulting in the deaths of senior officers and soldiers, including a commanding officer killed in an IED explosion during reinforcement operations.

Nigerian authorities have not yet issued an official response to Amnesty International’s specific allegations regarding the Ganari demolitions.

The military has previously justified security operations in the northeast as necessary to counter insurgent threats and protect civilian lives, though human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the impact on non-combatants.

The Borno State government and humanitarian agencies have long grappled with the challenge of balancing counter-insurgency efforts with the protection and welfare of civilians in volatile areas.

Forced evictions and village clearances have been documented in the region in past years during periods of heightened insurgent activity.

This latest development underscores the complex humanitarian and human rights challenges persisting in Nigeria’s northeast, where the insurgency has displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives since 2009.

Civil society organisations and international partners continue to call for accountability, civilian protection, and sustainable solutions to the conflict.

Further details are expected as investigations and official statements emerge.