Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offences in a mass trial this week, the attorney general's office said.

The Boko Haram insurgency has killed thousands of people and displaced millions since it began in 2009, creating a humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria and putting pressure on the government to bring the conflict to an end.

Kamarudeen Ogundele, the spokesman of the Attorney-General's office, said in a statement late on Friday that "they were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Courts (ICC) criminality".

The last mass trials of Boko Haram suspects took place between 2017 and 2018, where 163 people were convicted and 887 set free.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nigerian-air-force-strikes-boko-harams-group-604124">Watch |&nbsp;Nigerian Air Force strikes Boko Haram's group</a>

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Ogundele added that from the previous convictions, 400 defendants who had completed their sentences were moved to a rehabilitation centre known as Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria "for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration".

Boko Haram kidnapped more than 270 girls from a school in the northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014, an attack that sparked outrage and gave rise to the global "#Bring Back Our Girls" campaign, though more than half of the girls have returned, many as mothers of multiple children.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-200-abducted-schoolchildren-in-northwestern-nigeria-freed-after-two-weeks-703700">Also read |&nbsp;Over 200 abducted schoolchildren in northwestern Nigeria freed after two weeks</a>

The breakdown of the latest convictions showed that 85 people were convicted for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, while the rest were convicted for terrorism.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offences in a mass trial this week, the attorney general's office said.

Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offences in a mass trial this week, the attorney general's office said. The Boko Haram insurgency has killed thousands of people and displaced millions since it began in 2009, creating a humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria and putting pressure on the government to bring the conflict to an end. Kamarudeen Ogundele, the spokesman of the Attorney-General's office, said in a statement late on Friday that "they were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Courts (ICC) criminality". The last mass trials of Boko Haram suspects took place between 2017 and 2018, where 163 people were convicted and 887 set free. Watch | Nigerian Air Force strikes Boko Haram's group × Ogundele added that from the previous convictions, 400 defendants who had completed their sentences were moved to a rehabilitation centre known as Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State, northeast Nigeria "for rehabilitation, deradicalisation and subsequent reintegration". Boko Haram kidnapped more than 270 girls from a school in the northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014, an attack that sparked outrage and gave rise to the global "#Bring Back Our Girls" campaign, though more than half of the girls have returned, many as mothers of multiple children. Also read | Over 200 abducted schoolchildren in northwestern Nigeria freed after two weeks The breakdown of the latest convictions showed that 85 people were convicted for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC-related crimes, while the rest were convicted for terrorism. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nigeria: 125 Boko Haram insurgents convicted by court in mass trial

The Nigerian army allegedly massacred children in its ongoing war efforts against the Islamic insurgents in the country's northeast, a Reuters report claimed.

The report cites more than 40 sources, including soldiers and civilians who claim to have witnessed the military killing children or to have seen corpses of children in the aftermath of army operations.

Reportedly, parents of the said children or other civilian witnesses were also slaughtered.

Watch |&nbsp;World of Africa: Nigeria's 'serious' Hunger level&nbsp;

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The children were "deleted" on army commander orders, which were based on the belief that these children were collaborating with militants in Boko Haram or its Islamic State offshoot or have "tainted" blood of insurgent fathers that would one day mould them into terrorists.

Some soldiers also said that it was a kill-or-be-killed situation, as children were used by insurgents as fighters, suicide bombers and informants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/since-2009-a-nigerian-army-run-forced-abortion-programme-has-terminated-10000-pregnancies-report-541152">Since 2009, a Nigerian army run forced abortion programme has terminated 10,000 pregnancies: Report</a>

“This is something that everyone knows. It’s not just our commanders, most other people say the same, and they heard it from the mouths of our soldiers, saying that if we let them grow up, if they’re born and they grow up, it will be with that ideology, Boko Haram’s ideology. Because their parents are Boko Haram, it’s too late and the blood has already reacted in their bodies, they will grow up that way. That’s why whoever asks them, they will say that’s why they kill,” said one soldier while talking to the news agency.

Witness reports suggest that intentional killings of children "have occurred with a blurring frequency across the region" ever since the war began 13 years back.

While the report fails to coin a set number, Reuters estimates that around 60 children were killed in just six incidents, with the most recent one in February 2021. Most of them were shot in the back as they were fleeing.

Nigerian military leaders have refuted the claims and said that the army has never targeted children. They allege that the report is part of foreign efforts to undermine the nation and its fight against insurgents.

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"Not in Nigeria, not in Nigeria. We’re cultural. We’re communal here. So everybody respects life. We respect families. We respect women and children. We respect every living soul," said Major General Christopher Musa, who heads the counterinsurgency campaign in the northeast.

The intentional, systematic killing of civilians during an armed conflict as per international human rights law is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Another recent Reuters report claims that the army also undertook the forced abortion of around 10,000 women since 2009.

The United States has reacted to the report with shock and said it was "deeply troubled".

In an email, to Reuters a State Department spokesperson said that the country was "pursuing further information".

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to immediately investigate the claims and said "The killing of children on the presumption that they were, or would become, terrorists, is a war crime which violates international laws."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Nigerian army allegedly massacred children in its ongoing war efforts against the Islamic insurgents in the country's northeast, a Reuters report claimed. The report cites more than 40 sources, including soldiers and civilians who claim to have witnessed the military killing children or to have seen corpses of children in the aftermath of army operations.

The Nigerian army allegedly massacred children in its ongoing war efforts against the Islamic insurgents in the country's northeast, a Reuters report claimed. The report cites more than 40 sources, including soldiers and civilians who claim to have witnessed the military killing children or to have seen corpses of children in the aftermath of army operations. Reportedly, parents of the said children or other civilian witnesses were also slaughtered. Watch | World of Africa: Nigeria's 'serious' Hunger level The children were "deleted" on army commander orders, which were based on the belief that these children were collaborating with militants in Boko Haram or its Islamic State offshoot or have "tainted" blood of insurgent fathers that would one day mould them into terrorists. Some soldiers also said that it was a kill-or-be-killed situation, as children were used by insurgents as fighters, suicide bombers and informants. Also read | Since 2009, a Nigerian army run forced abortion programme has terminated 10,000 pregnancies: Report “This is something that everyone knows. It’s not just our commanders, most other people say the same, and they heard it from the mouths of our soldiers, saying that if we let them grow up, if they’re born and they grow up, it will be with that ideology, Boko Haram’s ideology. Because their parents are Boko Haram, it’s too late and the blood has already reacted in their bodies, they will grow up that way. That’s why whoever asks them, they will say that’s why they kill,” said one soldier while talking to the news agency. Witness reports suggest that intentional killings of children "have occurred with a blurring frequency across the region" ever since the war began 13 years back. While the report fails to coin a set number, Reuters estimates that around 60 children were killed in just six incidents, with the most recent one in February 2021. Most of them were shot in the back as they were fleeing. Nigerian military leaders have refuted the claims and said that the army has never targeted children. They allege that the report is part of foreign efforts to undermine the nation and its fight against insurgents. Also read | 2 TikTok users in Nigeria fined and sentenced to whipping for mocking govt official "Not in Nigeria, not in Nigeria. We’re cultural. We’re communal here. So everybody respects life. We respect families. We respect women and children. We respect every living soul," said Major General Christopher Musa, who heads the counterinsurgency campaign in the northeast. The intentional, systematic killing of civilians during an armed conflict as per international human rights law is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Another recent Reuters report claims that the army also undertook the forced abortion of around 10,000 women since 2009. The United States has reacted to the report with shock and said it was "deeply troubled". In an email, to Reuters a State Department spokesperson said that the country was "pursuing further information". Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to immediately investigate the claims and said "The killing of children on the presumption that they were, or would become, terrorists, is a war crime which violates international laws." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nigerian army participated in systematic, intentional killing of children during war: Report

For the last nine years, the Nigerian Army has allegedly run a "secret, systematic and illegal" abortion programme in the country's northeast. A report claims that the army forcefully terminated close to 10,000 pregnancies.

The Reuters investigation alleges that many of the women, and girls involved in this abortion programme were victims of rape and kidnapping at the hands of Islamic militants.

Most of these abortions were performed without the pregnant woman or girl's consent, many of which were as young as 12 years. Pregnancies ranging from two weeks to eight months were terminated.

Watch |&nbsp;World of Africa: Nigeria's 'serious' Hunger level&nbsp;

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The campaign relied on deception and physical force against women who were kept in military custody for days or weeks. Three soldiers and a guard said they commonly assured women, who often were debilitated from captivity in the bush, that the pills and injections given to them were to restore their health and fight diseases such as malaria.

In some instances, women who resisted were beaten, caned, held at gunpoint or drugged into compliance. Others were tied or pinned down, as abortion drugs were inserted inside them, said a guard and a health worker.

The campaign included intimidation and physical force against women who were detained by the military for days or weeks.&nbsp;

Women who resisted were "beaten, caned, held at gunpoint or drugged into compliance. Others were tied or pinned down, as abortion drugs were inserted inside them," said the report citing a guard and a health worker.

As per the report, central to this programme is the idea that the offspring of rebels are predestined by the blood in their veins to one day take up guns against the Nigerian government and society.&nbsp;

The alleged abortion programme is believed to have been in place since at least 2013, and procedures were carried out up to at least November of last year.

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According to eyewitness statements and records examined by Reuters, the procedures have taken place in at least five military facilities and five civilian hospitals in the area. Maiduguri, the largest city in northeastern Nigeria and the nerve centre of the government's fight against Islamist radicals, was allegedly the scene of many of these abortions.

Quoting sources the report claims that the programme is secret and is occasionally kept a secret from coworkers in the same hospital.&nbsp;

In an interview with Reuters, the Nigerian military vehemently denied ever having such a programme. They asserted that the report was a part of an international plot to jeopardise the nation's campaign against militant groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-gunmen-open-fire-in-mosque-killing-at-least-12-people-abduct-several-people-539980">Nigeria: Gunmen open fire in mosque, killing at least 12 people, abduct several others</a>

"It has never happened, it is not happening, it will not happen. It is not in our character. We are highly professional. We are human beings, and these are Nigerians that you have been talking about," Major General Christopher Musa, who is in charge of the military's counterinsurgency effort in the northeast, remarked during an interview in November.

Amnesty International took to Twitter and said that it was "deeply concerned by the findings" of the investigative report. The human rights organisation has called on the Nigerian authorities to investigate and take action.

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Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the findings of an investigative report by Reuters news agency, which reveals that the Nigerian army has carried out secret, systematic and forced abortions terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies of women and girls.
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmnestyNigeria/status/1600620703262318615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2022</a></blockquote>
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US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Wednesday called the report "harrowing" and said that his country is seeking further information.

"My reaction to it in the first instance was a personal one in that I read it and was deeply disturbed by it," he said. "It was a harrowing report. ... It's a concerning report and for that reason we are seeking further information."

For the last nine years, the Nigerian Army has allegedly run a "secret, systematic and illegal" abortion programme in the country's northeast. A report claims that the army forcefully terminated close to 10,000 pregnancies.

For the last nine years, the Nigerian Army has allegedly run a "secret, systematic and illegal" abortion programme in the country's northeast. A report claims that the army forcefully terminated close to 10,000 pregnancies. The Reuters investigation alleges that many of the women, and girls involved in this abortion programme were victims of rape and kidnapping at the hands of Islamic militants. Most of these abortions were performed without the pregnant woman or girl's consent, many of which were as young as 12 years. Pregnancies ranging from two weeks to eight months were terminated. Watch | World of Africa: Nigeria's 'serious' Hunger level The campaign relied on deception and physical force against women who were kept in military custody for days or weeks. Three soldiers and a guard said they commonly assured women, who often were debilitated from captivity in the bush, that the pills and injections given to them were to restore their health and fight diseases such as malaria. In some instances, women who resisted were beaten, caned, held at gunpoint or drugged into compliance. Others were tied or pinned down, as abortion drugs were inserted inside them, said a guard and a health worker. The campaign included intimidation and physical force against women who were detained by the military for days or weeks. Women who resisted were "beaten, caned, held at gunpoint or drugged into compliance. Others were tied or pinned down, as abortion drugs were inserted inside them," said the report citing a guard and a health worker. As per the report, central to this programme is the idea that the offspring of rebels are predestined by the blood in their veins to one day take up guns against the Nigerian government and society. The alleged abortion programme is believed to have been in place since at least 2013, and procedures were carried out up to at least November of last year. Also read | 2 TikTok users in Nigeria fined and sentenced to whipping for mocking govt official According to eyewitness statements and records examined by Reuters, the procedures have taken place in at least five military facilities and five civilian hospitals in the area. Maiduguri, the largest city in northeastern Nigeria and the nerve centre of the government's fight against Islamist radicals, was allegedly the scene of many of these abortions. Quoting sources the report claims that the programme is secret and is occasionally kept a secret from coworkers in the same hospital. In an interview with Reuters, the Nigerian military vehemently denied ever having such a programme. They asserted that the report was a part of an international plot to jeopardise the nation's campaign against militant groups. Also read | Nigeria: Gunmen open fire in mosque, killing at least 12 people, abduct several others "It has never happened, it is not happening, it will not happen. It is not in our character. We are highly professional. We are human beings, and these are Nigerians that you have been talking about," Major General Christopher Musa, who is in charge of the military's counterinsurgency effort in the northeast, remarked during an interview in November. Amnesty International took to Twitter and said that it was "deeply concerned by the findings" of the investigative report. The human rights organisation has called on the Nigerian authorities to investigate and take action. Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the findings of an investigative report by Reuters news agency, which reveals that the Nigerian army has carried out secret, systematic and forced abortions terminating at least 10,000 pregnancies of women and girls. — Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) December 7, 2022 × US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Wednesday called the report "harrowing" and said that his country is seeking further information. "My reaction to it in the first instance was a personal one in that I read it and was deeply disturbed by it," he said. "It was a harrowing report. ... It's a concerning report and for that reason we are seeking further information."

Since 2009, a Nigerian army run forced abortion programme has terminated 10,000 pregnancies: Report

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday.

Fighters in six trucks attacked the villages of Shafa, Azare and Tashan Alade in Borno state on Saturday and set fire to homes and public buildings while firing sporadically at residents.

"They killed 10 people and burt homes, shops and churches", said Sani Mohammed, head of an anti-jihadist militia.

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The assailants went from village to village. In Azare, they "burnt a police station and killed two policemen, a member of the civil defence and a vigilante," another militiaman Bulus James said.

The attack forced residents to flee into the bush amid shooting from the militants.

"We recovered five dead bodies with gunshots on them from the bush along with six women with gunshot injuries," James said.&nbsp;

"They were all hit while trying to escape," he added.

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In Tashan Alade, residents fled into the hills overlooking the village before the assailants arrived, resident Luka Musa said.&nbsp;

"When they came they went on a burning spree, burning three churches, three houses and a drug store," Musa said.&nbsp;

Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in recent days.&nbsp;

In a video it released on Saturday the group claimed responsibility for a Christmas Eve attack on a village in which 11 people died as well as the kidnap of a priest who appeared in the video.

On Thursday dozens of loggers were kidnapped and three killed near the border with Cameroon.

Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations.

abu/har

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday.

The jihadist group Boko Haram killed at least 10 people including four security personnel in raids on three villages in northeast Nigeria, local and security sources told AFP on Sunday. Fighters in six trucks attacked the villages of Shafa, Azare and Tashan Alade in Borno state on Saturday and set fire to homes and public buildings while firing sporadically at residents. "They killed 10 people and burt homes, shops and churches", said Sani Mohammed, head of an anti-jihadist militia. Also read| Niger citizens vote in a historic election The assailants went from village to village. In Azare, they "burnt a police station and killed two policemen, a member of the civil defence and a vigilante," another militiaman Bulus James said. The attack forced residents to flee into the bush amid shooting from the militants. "We recovered five dead bodies with gunshots on them from the bush along with six women with gunshot injuries," James said. "They were all hit while trying to escape," he added. WATCH| × In Tashan Alade, residents fled into the hills overlooking the village before the assailants arrived, resident Luka Musa said. "When they came they went on a burning spree, burning three churches, three houses and a drug store," Musa said. Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in recent days. In a video it released on Saturday the group claimed responsibility for a Christmas Eve attack on a village in which 11 people died as well as the kidnap of a priest who appeared in the video. On Thursday dozens of loggers were kidnapped and three killed near the border with Cameroon. Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000 people in the northeast and forced roughly two million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations. abu/har

At least 10 dead in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria

A terror outfit raided a school and kidnapped more than 300 students in Nigeria and the boys remain missing for close to a week with the parents left in agony and tears.

It is manufactured victimhood, if it had happened in any other part of the world especially in modern developed society the kidnappings would have become an international crisis.

However, the world is busy with other things.

There have been a few obligatory statements - a few tweets on how saddening the situation is and a few articles on the sequence of events.

The Nigerian government has been missing in action. The government of Muhammadu Buhari has been dragging its feet as 300 schoolboys remain in danger. The fear of parents is not unfounded. The kidnapping is not an isolated incident. In the last 6 years, Boko Haram has carried out more than 15 mass-scale abductions.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and one of the continent's leading economic powers. It is divided into 36 states and a federal capital territory - Abuja. There are at least 250 ethnic groups.&nbsp;

The population has been split between the poverty-stricken north which is mainly Muslim and the largely Christian south which is home to Nigeria's oil industry since the early 2000s, the north has been blighted by a violent rebellion waged by the Jihadist terror outfit - Boko Haram.

The insurgency has developed into the world's most brutal conflicts. It has claimed 36,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people. The Boko Haram was founded in Nigeria's Borno state by self-educated preacher Mohammed Yusuf.

The name "Boko Haram" translates to "western education is sinful" with this motto the outfit promotes a radical version of Islam - a version which makes it "haram" forbidden for Muslims to engage in any activity associated with the western way of life - it includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers and above all receiving a secular education.

The Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers. It is regardless of whether the president is Muslim or not. The terror group's sole aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate run by Sharia laws and oppose the westernisation of Nigerian society.

In 2014, the group kidnapped 276 female students from their boarding school in the state of Chibok. The kidnappings sparked international outrage and resulted in the 2015 defeat of president Jonathan.

The new President Muhammadu Buhari rose to power with a promise to end the insurgency which is far from being fulfilled. Within two years of Buhari's rule, the Boko Haram carried out another mass-scale kidnapping.

In 2018, it abducted more than 110 schoolgirls in the north-east state of Dapchi. The fate of many of the girls remains unknown to this day.

“It’s been years since she’s been in captivity... I have been begging the government not to forget the promises they made to us," Rebecca Sharibu, Leah Sharibu’s mother, said.

Now, more than 300 schoolboys have been kidnapped in Muhammadu Buhari's home state Katsina.&nbsp;

The Nigerian government has once again been caught off-guard. Abuja says it knows where the boys are and is negotiating with the Boko Haram but it hasn't been able to rescue a single student in the last seven days.

A terror outfit raided a school and kidnapped more than 300 students in Nigeria and the boys remain missing for close to a week with the parents left in agony and tears.

A terror outfit raided a school and kidnapped more than 300 students in Nigeria and the boys remain missing for close to a week with the parents left in agony and tears. It is manufactured victimhood, if it had happened in any other part of the world especially in modern developed society the kidnappings would have become an international crisis. However, the world is busy with other things. There have been a few obligatory statements - a few tweets on how saddening the situation is and a few articles on the sequence of events. The Nigerian government has been missing in action. The government of Muhammadu Buhari has been dragging its feet as 300 schoolboys remain in danger. The fear of parents is not unfounded. The kidnapping is not an isolated incident. In the last 6 years, Boko Haram has carried out more than 15 mass-scale abductions. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and one of the continent's leading economic powers. It is divided into 36 states and a federal capital territory - Abuja. There are at least 250 ethnic groups. The population has been split between the poverty-stricken north which is mainly Muslim and the largely Christian south which is home to Nigeria's oil industry since the early 2000s, the north has been blighted by a violent rebellion waged by the Jihadist terror outfit - Boko Haram. The insurgency has developed into the world's most brutal conflicts. It has claimed 36,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people. The Boko Haram was founded in Nigeria's Borno state by self-educated preacher Mohammed Yusuf. The name "Boko Haram" translates to "western education is sinful" with this motto the outfit promotes a radical version of Islam - a version which makes it "haram" forbidden for Muslims to engage in any activity associated with the western way of life - it includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers and above all receiving a secular education. The Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers. It is regardless of whether the president is Muslim or not. The terror group's sole aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate run by Sharia laws and oppose the westernisation of Nigerian society. In 2014, the group kidnapped 276 female students from their boarding school in the state of Chibok. The kidnappings sparked international outrage and resulted in the 2015 defeat of president Jonathan. The new President Muhammadu Buhari rose to power with a promise to end the insurgency which is far from being fulfilled. Within two years of Buhari's rule, the Boko Haram carried out another mass-scale kidnapping. In 2018, it abducted more than 110 schoolgirls in the north-east state of Dapchi. The fate of many of the girls remains unknown to this day. “It’s been years since she’s been in captivity... I have been begging the government not to forget the promises they made to us," Rebecca Sharibu, Leah Sharibu’s mother, said. Now, more than 300 schoolboys have been kidnapped in Muhammadu Buhari's home state Katsina. The Nigerian government has once again been caught off-guard. Abuja says it knows where the boys are and is negotiating with the Boko Haram but it hasn't been able to rescue a single student in the last seven days.

Nigerian government powerless as Boko Haram terror grows

Chad's government on Monday denied allegations that 44 men who died in a prison in April were not Boko Haram jihadists but civilians who suffocated in a scorching, overcrowded cell.

The government of the semi-desert nation, insisted the prisoners were members of the Nigerian Islamist group that has staged attacks in several sub-Saharan countries.

On Saturday, the Chadian Convention for Human Rights (CTDDH),&nbsp;said the 58 men imprisoned were "farmers and villagers who were arbitrarily arrested ... on last-minute instructions."

The CTDDH said 44 of 58 prisoners died after being held in a windowless cell measuring 6 metres by 3 metres (19 feet by 10 feet).

Despite temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), they were not given food or water, it said.&nbsp;

But Justice Minister Djimet Arabi told AFP on Monday: "We will not give credence to a report that does not correspond to reality at all."&nbsp;

Officials at one point said the men had committed mass suicide and that traces of poison had been found in their bodies.

But the CTDDH said the Chadian authorities had committed several "exactions" and routinely executed Boko Haram suspects.

All the men were captured during a major army operation around Lake Chad launched by President Idriss Deby Itno early in April.

That operation came in response to the deaths of 98 Chadian soldiers in a March 23 attack on a base at Bohoma, in the Lake Chad marshlands -- the worst one-day loss their army has ever suffered.

President Idriss Deby Itno said Boko Haram militants were chased out of the country in the operation carried out between March 31 and April 8.

A Chadian army spokesman said at least 52 soldiers and 1,000 jihadists were killed during the operation.

Chad's government on Monday denied allegations that 44 men who died in a prison in April were not Boko Haram jihadists but civilians who suffocated in a scorching, overcrowded cell.

Chad's government on Monday denied allegations that 44 men who died in a prison in April were not Boko Haram jihadists but civilians who suffocated in a scorching, overcrowded cell. The government of the semi-desert nation, insisted the prisoners were members of the Nigerian Islamist group that has staged attacks in several sub-Saharan countries. On Saturday, the Chadian Convention for Human Rights (CTDDH), said the 58 men imprisoned were "farmers and villagers who were arbitrarily arrested ... on last-minute instructions." The CTDDH said 44 of 58 prisoners died after being held in a windowless cell measuring 6 metres by 3 metres (19 feet by 10 feet). Despite temperatures of more than 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), they were not given food or water, it said. But Justice Minister Djimet Arabi told AFP on Monday: "We will not give credence to a report that does not correspond to reality at all." Officials at one point said the men had committed mass suicide and that traces of poison had been found in their bodies. But the CTDDH said the Chadian authorities had committed several "exactions" and routinely executed Boko Haram suspects. All the men were captured during a major army operation around Lake Chad launched by President Idriss Deby Itno early in April. That operation came in response to the deaths of 98 Chadian soldiers in a March 23 attack on a base at Bohoma, in the Lake Chad marshlands -- the worst one-day loss their army has ever suffered. President Idriss Deby Itno said Boko Haram militants were chased out of the country in the operation carried out between March 31 and April 8. A Chadian army spokesman said at least 52 soldiers and 1,000 jihadists were killed during the operation.

Chad denies claims 44 Boko Haram suspects suffocated to death