Wives of detained soldiers accused of various offences in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, have in the spirit of 65th Independence Anniversary pleaded with President Bola Tinubu and the military authorities to tamper justice with mercy by granting them pardon.
The women, numbering over 30 with some carrying little children, including relatives and friends, stormed Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Maiduguri on Wednesday to make their case.
Spokesperson of the women group, Mrs. Rose Emmanuel David, while briefing journalists, said some of their husbands were detained by committing various minor offences for over a year now, stressing that they found it very difficult to cope with the family burdens as they were forced to engage into menial jobs to carter for their children’s school fees and feeding.
They argued that the Federal Government and military authorities have been over the years granting pardon to members of Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and other criminals, saying that it was also imperative for them to voice out their plight by pleading on behalf of their husbands who were detained in Military Police (MP) facility in Maiduguri, to also have their freedom and reunite with their families.
“We are here on behalf of our husbands who were detained soldiers of the Nigerian Army at the 7 Division Military Police Facility, Maiduguri.
“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 too – men who once risked their lives to defend our people and preserve our nation. They deserve the same mercy, so they can once again fight for peace, unity, and security.
“This is not a call for sympathy, but for justice with compassion. Their service and sacrifices should not be forgotten. Granting them pardon will not only restore their dignity but also strengthen the bond of trust between the nation and those who defend it,” Mrs. David pleaded.
LEADERSHIP recalls that last week, a Special Court Martial (SCM) convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, had slammed two senior non-commissioned officers and two non-commisioned officers for arms/ammunition racketeering as well as aiding and abetting the enemy of the state.
