Wives of soldiers who were detained for various offences in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in Maiduguri, Borno State, have begged for their release in the spirit of Independence Day celebration.
The Women pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the military authorities to temper justice with mercy and grant them pardons.
The women, numbering over 30 with some carrying children below the age of two (2), including relatives and friends, stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Maiduguri, on Wednesday.
Spokesperson of the women, Mrs Rose Emmanuel David, while briefing Journalists, said some of their husbands were detained for over a year now, stressing that they found it very difficult to cope with the family burdens, as they were forced to engage in menial jobs to cater for their children’s school fees and feeding.
They said since the federal government and the military authorities have been granting pardons to members of Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and other criminals, they are also compelled to seek forgiveness for their husbands.
They said the soldiers are detained in the Military Police (MP) facility in Maiduguri and are unable to reunite with their families.
“We are here on behalf of our husbands, who are detained soldiers of the Nigerian Army at the 7 Division Military Police Facility, Maiduguri, to beg for leniency and forgiveness.
“We humbly appeal for mercy and forgiveness. Many have been held for months and years over various offences. They have since acknowledged their mistakes, have deeply reflected, and now seek a second chance to serve their country with renewed loyalty.
“We respectfully call on His Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to grant them a presidential pardon.
“We also appeal to the National Assembly, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and all Nigerians of goodwill to support this plea.
“It is important to remember that amnesty has been extended to repentant insurgents and bandits who once raised arms against the state.
“These soldiers are Nigerians, men who once risked their lives to defend our people and preserve our nation. They deserve the same mercy to fight for peace, unity, and security again.
“This is not a call for sympathy, but for justice with compassion. Their service and sacrifices should not be forgotten. Granting them pardon will restore their dignity and strengthen the trust between the nation and those who defend it,” Mrs David pleaded.
LEADERSHIP recalls that last week, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), convened a special court martial (SCM) and slammed two Senior Non-commissioned Officers and two Non-Commissioned Officers for Arms/Ammunition racketeering and Aiding and Abetting the Enemy.
