Wives and family members of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant them access to their husbands and ensure that the officers are either released or formally charged in a court of law.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appeal was made on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, where the families were joined by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore. The officers have reportedly been in detention for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives.

At least 20 wives attended the briefing, accompanied by their children, including a two-month-old baby. Among those present were Firdaus Usman, Farida Lawal, Hauwa Aliu, Aisha Sadiq, Hassana Salihu, Fatima Muhammad, Zahra Abba, Khadija A. Hayatu, Helen Sunday, Memuna Bashiru—who read the families’ statement—Aisha Ibrahim, and Ahmad Musajida.

During the briefing, a family representative, Basir, described the prolonged detention as causing significant distress and uncertainty for their households. The families said they had endured emotional and financial hardships due to the absence of the detained officers.

They urged the Federal Government to either allow them to see their loved ones or bring the officers before a competent court.

Basir stated:

“We stand here as families, wives, mothers, and relatives, whose husbands and brothers have been detained for over 160 days without being brought before an open court. For more than five months, our families have lived with fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions.

“We are here for one simple reason: to demand that justice be done openly and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These past months have been deeply painful for our families.”

She added that while allegations against the officers have been widely reported, the families themselves have been kept in the dark.

“We have watched helplessly as narratives are presented to the public, subjecting our husbands to a media trial, while some of us have faced intimidation from uniformed personnel sworn to protect Nigerians. Our husbands served this country faithfully, risking their lives on the frontlines. Today, their families are left with fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. We speak not in anger, but with the heavy hearts of wives and mothers.”

Basir appealed directly to President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, stressing that the families were not seeking favours but only the protection of constitutional rights.

“We appeal to Mr President, a father and grandfather, and to Her Excellency, a mother and grandmother, to look upon our situation with compassion, wisdom, and justice. We ask only for what the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian: that our husbands be treated as innocent until proven guilty in a competent court. If there is evidence, bring it forward; if not, release them.”

The families also called on military authorities to allow visitation.

“Grant us access to our husbands. Let us see them and know they are safe and alive,” Basir pleaded.

She raised concerns over inconsistencies in the official narrative of the arrests, noting changes in reported figures and allegations over time.

“Initially, the public was told ₦12 billion had been discovered in one officer’s account. Today, the figure is reported as ₦835 million in a company account. Allegations have also shifted from indiscipline to conspiracy to commit a coup. If evidence exists, it should be presented in court.”

Basir insisted that, since the military claimed investigations had concluded weeks ago, trials should now proceed openly. She called on civil society, religious leaders, the legal community, and the international community to monitor the case closely.

Adeyanju said the continued detention without family or legal access violated fundamental rights under Nigerian law and international principles. He noted that over 100 individuals, including elderly parents and children, are affected.

“Allegations of coup plots have historically been misused against political figures. Authorities must handle this case transparently and according to the law. Either present credible evidence in court or release the officers.”

Sowore emphasized the need for justice and transparency, highlighting the distress of families, including children who have never seen their detained fathers.

“Even if the allegations are true, these men deserve a fair and open trial. Families must be allowed to meet them and arrange legal representation. Alleging a coup does not justify abuse,” he said.

He further issued an ultimatum to the government:

“The government must allow the arrested officers—about 120—to see their families, consult lawyers, and face trial if allegations exist. Otherwise, they must be released. There is no evidence, only attempts to instill fear.”

Helen Sunday, one of the officers’ wives, said some families had suffered bereavements while their husbands remained detained.

“One officer, Hayatu, lost his father, and another, Zuzu, lost his mother. Yet the officers remain unaware of these losses because we cannot see them. We don’t even know where they are being held,” she said.