Scores of women and children of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for a speedy trial and the release of their loved ones.
The emotional demonstration saw the protesters move slowly toward the complex, holding placards with messages like “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Many of the children, visibly shaken, pleaded for justice and the chance to see their fathers again, saying they had been cut off from them for months.
Eight-year-old Halima Mohammed, whose father, Lt Col Mohammed Almakura, is among those detained, broke down in tears as she appealed to authorities.
“Please don’t kill our daddy. We want justice for him. Since he was arrested, our lives have not been the same. My mummy cries every day. I miss him so much,” she said.
Nine-year-old Ibrahim Bala also shared his pain, saying he had not seen his father in months.
“The last time I saw him was nine months ago. I miss him. He used to teach me and guide me,” he said.
Four-year-old Fatima Yusuf made a heartfelt appeal, asking the President and First Lady to help bring her father home safely.
“I have no one to play with since he left. He used to teach me and take me out,” she said.
Another child, eleven-year-old Nana Aisha Usman, urged the government to either release the detained officers or formally charge them in court.
“They deserve justice. If they have done nothing wrong, they should be freed. If there are charges, let them face trial,” she said.
One of the wives, Nana Ibrahim, questioned the continued detention of the officers, describing the situation as unclear and troubling.
“The allegations have been there for months, yet there is no trial. They have been denied access to their families and lawyers. If there is evidence, it should be presented in court,” she said.
She called for an open and transparent trial, stressing that justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
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The protest comes weeks after families of the detained officers made a similar appeal, asking authorities to either release them or bring them before a court. They say their husbands have been held for over six months without proper legal process, leaving their families in distress and uncertainty.
The officers were arrested in October 2025 over allegations of involvement in a coup plot. While investigations reportedly uncovered plans involving key national assets, the prolonged detention without trial has continued to raise concerns among families and rights advocates.
As the protest ended, the message from the families remained clear: they are not asking for special treatment—only for justice, transparency, and the rule of law to be upheld.
