The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has directed an immediate investigation into the alleged wrongful incarceration of naval rating Abbas Haruna, who has been imprisoned for six years.
This directive was announced by the Defence Spokesman, Tukur Gusau, in a statement released on Monday.
The news follows a public outcry sparked by a video featuring Abbas Haruna’s wife, who claimed her husband was unlawfully imprisoned by his superior for organizing prayers with his fellow soldiers.
According to Mrs. Abbas, her husband was sent on official duty from Kaduna to Taraba State. Initially upset by his lack of communication, she later discovered the reason for his silence.
Mrs. Abbas recounted that someone used her husband’s phone to call her, but the call was abruptly ended. When she called back, she realized that the voice on the other end was not her husband’s.
She later learned that her husband had been “subjected to a punitive six-year imprisonment by his superior, Muhammad S. Adamu, the commander of his battalion.” She claimed that her husband was punished unlawfully for “gathering soldiers under his command for prayer, which was part of his commitment to the moral and spiritual well-being of his troops.”
In response to these claims, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), represented by Gusau, assured the public of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s dedication to justice, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law.
“The outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course. The DHQ urges the general public to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated information while the investigation is ongoing.
“We assure Nigerians that the armed forces will ensure a speedy and transparent investigation,” the statement said.
