BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT – Over 30 spouses of military personnel serving long terms of detention for offences allegedly committed in the cause of the fight against Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), terrorists in Borno State, have cried out of the what they described as unfair treatment meted out on their husbands while terrorists get pardon.
The women have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the military authorities to in the spirit of 65th independence anniversary, temper justice with mercy by granting their husbands that were in the war front for a long time before their detention for certain violations.
The women led by Mrs Rose Emmanuel David, gathered at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Maiduguri, during which they noted that some of the soldiers were detained for over a year for minor offences.
The women, some of whom carried little children below the ages of two, stressed that they are finding it very difficult to cope with family burdens, thus forced to engage in menial jobs to carter for their children’s school fees and feeding.
The noted that while the Federal Government and the military authorities have been over the years been granting pardon to members of Boko Haram, bandits and other criminals, their husbands who dedicated their time and lives to fighting the same pardoned terrorists are languishing in detention.
They said it has become absolutely necessary for them to voice out and plead on behalf of their husbands, who are being detained in Military Police (MP) facility in Maiduguri to be granted their freedom to enable them reunite with their families.
According to the women; “We are here on behalf of our husbands, who are 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 President Tinubu to grant them a presidential pardon. We also appeal to the National Assembly, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and all Nigerians of goodwill to support this plea.
“These soldiers are Nigerians, who once risked their lives to defend our people and preserve our nation. They deserve the same mercy, so that they can once again fight for peace, unity, and security.
“It is important to remember that amnesty has been extended to repentant insurgents and bandits, who once raised arms against the state.
“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.”
Just 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 slammed some officers with the charges of arms/ammunition racketeering in addition to aiding and abetting the enemy.
