Representative, Wives of Detained Military Officers. Shafatu Al-Makura has said that the families of detained military officers who have been accused of planning a coup, demand proof their husbands are alive and urge authorities to charge them to court or release the innocent.
Recall that in late 2025, Nigerian military intelligence uncovered an alleged coup plot, leading to the October arrest of at least 16 officers, from captain to brigadier‑general, by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
In April 2026, wives and children of the detained officers protested at the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding proof their husbands are alive and that authorities either charge or release them.
Speaking with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Al-Makura said:
“Our biggest concern is we want to have a proof of life. We want to be assured that they are still alive.”
She added that they have not had any contact with their detained husbands, noting the prolonged silence from authorities.
“We’ve not been given any explanation to that. And we’ve written severally to the appropriate authorities; we’ve written to the Defense Intelligence Agency, we’ve written to the Department for Civil-Military Affairs, we’ve written to like virtually every necessary authority, but nothing has been done. We’ve not been granted the access yet, and there’s not been any explanation as to why that is so,” she said.
She further emphasised that their main demand is clarity and justice.
“Our major concern is that if they are found guilty, or whatever the outcome of the investigation is, let them be charged to court. Whoever is being found guilty should be dealt with appropriately, and whoever is found innocent should be freed. So that is our plea.”
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