ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding the immediate release of their loved ones or their arraignment in court after months in custody.
The demonstrators, many of them visibly emotional, marched slowly to the entrance of the complex, holding placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, several children made heartfelt appeals, saying they had been denied access to their fathers for months since their arrest.
Eight-year-old Halima Mohammed, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Almakura, said, “Please don’t kill our daddy. We want justice for him.
“Since he was arrested by the government, our lives have not been the same again. My mummy cries every day. I really miss him so much.”
Nine-year-old Ibrahim Bala, son of Major Bala, also expressed deep longing for his father.
“Let the government bring my daddy back safely. The last time I saw them was nine months ago. I really miss him with all my heart. He used to teach me things about school and how children should behave towards adults.
“I’m in primary four. But I last saw him about six months ago. Our house has been lonely without him. I also miss him because nobody used to take me out as he used to do before,” he said.
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Four-year-old Fatima Yusuf, daughter of Wing Commander Yusuf, pleaded with the nation’s leadership to intervene.
“I want to beg the president and our First Lady to bring my daddy safely back. Since he left, I have no one to play with. He always helped me to learn things I didn’t know and took me out,” she said.
Eleven-year-old Nana Aisha Usman urged authorities to either release the detained officers or formally charge them in court.
“Please help us beg the government to release my daddy or take him to court. He and other people locked up deserve justice. Since he was taken away, the house is empty without his presence,” she said.
One of the spouses, Nana Ibrahim, described the continued detention as unjustified, questioning why authorities had failed to act despite claiming to have concluded investigations.
“The whole coup allegation and arrest are shady. Investigations and statements have been conducted for over six months. Yet, they have been denied access to their families and lawyers.
“If they have any evidence about their involvement, they should come out with it boldly. They should take them to court and present the evidence. That is all we are asking,” she said.
The families demanded an open trial, insisting that the accused officers be given the opportunity to defend themselves publicly.
The protest follows an earlier appeal to President Bola Tinubu by the families, who called for access to the detained officers and adherence to due process.
At a press briefing held about a month ago in Abuja, attended by over 20 wives and several children, including a two-month-old baby, the families accompanied by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown households into emotional and financial distress, with many still in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The officers were first arrested on October 4, 2025, following an announcement by the then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who said 16 personnel were detained over alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
Subsequent investigations pointed to a suspected network of officers allegedly planning a coup, with reported surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports.
The alleged plot, reportedly scheduled for October 25, 2025, was said to target top government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Despite these claims, the families insist that justice must be served through a transparent legal process, maintaining that prolonged detention without trial violates fundamental human rights.