Wives of Nigerian military officers being held over an alleged coup plot staged another protest on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, calling for the immediate release of their husbands or a transparent and fair trial.
According to reports, the demonstration remained peaceful but deeply emotional, as the women urged authorities to uphold the rule of law. Dressed largely in black, they carried placards with messages such as “Democracy must be felt, not spoken” and “Don’t kill our daddies, hear their side first.”
The protesters questioned the prolonged detention of the officers, noting that many had been held for months without being formally charged in court. They also alleged that the detainees had been denied access to legal representation and family members, leaving their households in distress and uncertainty.
The group accused authorities of delaying justice and treating the officers as guilty without due process. They stressed that suspicion should not replace lawful procedures and insisted that the rights of the accused must be respected.
Holding hands and chanting, the women appealed to lawmakers to intervene, warning that continued silence could erode public confidence in both the military and the justice system. Security personnel were present but did not disrupt the protest.
Speaking on behalf of the group, one woman described the past five months as a period of fear and unanswered questions for their families. She emphasized their demand for justice to be carried out openly and in line with the Constitution.
She also claimed that some of the women had experienced intimidation from security operatives, despite their husbands’ service to the nation. According to her, the families have been left to cope with anxiety and uncertainty while the accused officers remain in custody.
The protesters made a direct appeal to the country’s leadership, urging compassion and fairness in handling the matter. They called for a careful and open-minded review of the case, stressing its sensitivity.
They further raised concerns about inconsistencies in public information regarding the allegations, noting that details had shifted over time. The group insisted that if investigations had been concluded, as previously stated, the case should proceed to open trial without delay.
Highlighting the importance of transparency, they urged civil society organisations, the media, and legal professionals to closely monitor the situation, emphasizing that justice is best served under public scrutiny.
The families also decried the lack of contact with their detained relatives, describing the prolonged isolation without access to lawyers or loved ones as inhumane and distressing.
Concluding their protest, the women called for justice, fairness, and adherence to constitutional rights. They urged authorities to either present credible evidence in court or release the officers if no case exists.
The issue has remained in the spotlight since a similar protest by relatives in March, as concerns continue to grow over extended detentions without trial in Nigeria.
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