The Headquarters of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army has categorically rejected allegations of torture, brutalisation, and dehumanising treatment of detainees at its Provost Group Detention Facility in Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto, following the death of Lance Corporal Bala Hudu and a subsequent petition by a human rights lawyer that generated significant public concern about conditions at the military holding facility.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba provided a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding Hudu’s death, explaining that the soldier had been placed in military custody in April 2023 after killing a commercial motorcycle operator in Katsina State, which triggered a military police investigation and court martial proceedings.
During the proceedings, it was discovered that Hudu had underlying health conditions including hyperopia, allergic conjunctivitis, and high blood pressure, for all of which he was receiving continuous medical care at the 8 Division Medical Services and Hospital. Because of his health status, he was granted unrestricted access to his family and legal counsel and kept under continuous medical supervision with a nursing assistant assigned to his care.
On April 15, 2026, Hudu was admitted to the Accident and Emergency unit with complaints of headache, body weakness, and rapid breathing, and was diagnosed with severe right lobar pneumonia and malaria. His condition deteriorated on April 17, leading to his death from complications arising from his underlying ailments.
The General Officer Commanding 8 Division immediately convened an independent Board of Inquiry to examine the circumstances of the death, which remains ongoing. The Army described all allegations of torture and intimidation as categorically false, reaffirming that its detention facilities operate in line with international standards with zero tolerance for abuse or mistreatment.
The Army invited the petitioner and other interested parties to appear before the Board of Inquiry from April 29 to May 10, 2026, to present evidence in support of any allegations they wished the inquiry to examine.
In a related development, the 8 Division hosted participants of Air Force War College Course 12/2026 as part of a National Study Tour examining how air power capabilities could be deployed to improve security and drive socioeconomic development across the North-West, with participants covering Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.
