’Don’t Kill Our Daddies’ — Wives of Alleged Coup Suspects Protest at National Assembly

Wives of Nigerian military officers detained over an alleged coup plot on Wednesday returned to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja as they demanded the immediate release of their husbands or a fair and open trial.

Politics Nigeria reports that the protest was peaceful but emotional, as the women called on authorities to act within the law.

The protesters arrived dressed mostly in black. Many carried placards with bold messages. Some read, “Democracy must be felt, not spoken,” and “Don’t kill our daddies, hear their side first.”

Others questioned the continued detention, asking why their husbands had not been taken to court.

The women said their husbands had been held for several months without proper communication. They claimed there had been no access to lawyers or family members. According to them, the situation has left their homes in fear and uncertainty.

They accused authorities of delaying justice. They said the officers were being treated as guilty without any court ruling. The group insisted that suspicion should not replace due process under the law.

Chanting and holding hands, they urged lawmakers to step in. They warned that silence from those in power could weaken public trust in both the military and the justice system. Despite the tension, security personnel at the complex monitored the protest without interference.

One of the women spoke on behalf of the group. She said, “For more than five months our family have lived with uncertainty, fear and unanswered questions. Today we are here for one simple reason, to ask that justice be done openly in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

She described the past months as painful. She said their husbands had been judged in the public space without trial. She also alleged intimidation from some security operatives.

“At the same time some of us have faced intimidation from the very men in uniform who want to protect Nigerians. Our husbands and fathers have served this country, on the front lines, risking their lives in defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today their families are left with fear, uncertainty and unanswered questions,” she added.

The group made a direct appeal to the country’s leadership. They called on President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene with fairness and compassion.

“A respectful appeal to our leaders, we speak today with no anger but with heavy hearts of wives and children and mothers. We appeal to Mr. President Bola Tinubu, a father and a grandfather, to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a mother, grandmother and a reverred pastor. As leaders of the nation at this moment in time to please look upon our situation with compassion, wisdom, courage and justice. We respectfully beseech to examine and be receptive to all the facts of this highly sensitive case with an open mind, please.”

The protesters also questioned inconsistencies in public information about the case. They said details around the allegations and figures mentioned had changed over time.

“We respectively ask if there is evidence, it should be presented openly in the court please our demand to Mr President is that the military told the public over six weeks ago that investigation had been concluded. If that is the case, justice must now move forward we respectively request that trials commence immediately in an open court of law visible to all Nigeria.”

They stressed the need for transparency. They called on civil society groups, the media, and legal practitioners to pay attention to the case.

“Justice thrives in light of public scrutiny,” they said.

The families also raised concern over lack of access to their detained relatives. They said the officers had not been allowed to see anyone for months.

“They have not been able to see any of their relatives in five months. They have not been able to see a lawyer. They are just with their accusers and their interrogators. That alone is torture. It cannot make anybody admit to committing a crime. When none exists,” the families said.

They ended the protest with a final appeal for justice and fairness.

“We are asking for our constitutional rights, the truth, and the safe return of their husbands. If there is evidence, bring them before court of law. If there is none, let them go free, please. We appeal to the President to do what is just, allow the truth to be seen. We also appeal to the Nigerian military to remember its oaths and its humanity. History and posterity will remember the decision,” they said.

Recall that in March, relatives of the detained officers staged a similar protest, demanding transparency and due process. The issue has continued to draw attention amid growing concerns over prolonged detention without trial in the country.