KEY POINTS

• Children and wives of 16 military officers detained over an alleged Nigeria coup plot marched to the National Assembly on Wednesday demanding trial or release after six months in custody
• The families say the officers have had no contact with relatives or lawyers since the October 2025 arrests, and accuse authorities of stalling despite completed investigations
• Officers were arrested over alleged surveillance of the Presidential Villa and other key sites, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned operation date

Scores of children and wives of detained over an alleged Nigeria coup plot staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding a speedy trial or the release of the accused officials.

The protesters gathered in a slow procession, clutching placards that read “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”

Children’s words and a spouse’s sharp challenge

8-year-old Halima Mohammed, daughter of Lt Col Mohammed Almakura, spoke for many in the crowd. “Please don’t kill our daddy. We want justice for him. Since he was arrested, our lives have not been the same. My mummy cries every day,” she said.

4-year-old Fatima Yusuf, daughter of Wing Commander Yusuf, directed her plea at the presidency. “I want to beg the President and our First Lady to bring my daddy safely back,” she said.

Still, 11-year-old Nana Aisha Usman urged authorities to either release the officers or charge them. “Please help us beg the government to release my daddy or take him to court. He and others locked up deserve justice. I don’t think my dad is a bad person,” she said.

Furthermore, one of the spouses, Nana Ibrahim, challenged the legal basis of the prolonged detention. “The whole coup allegation and arrest are shady. Investigations have been conducted for over six months. Yet, they have been denied access to their families and lawyers. They should charge them in court,” she said.

Arrests, alleged plot and months without trial

Moreover, Wednesday’s protest comes about a month after the families first appealed to President Bola Tinubu at an Abuja press briefing attended by more than 20 wives and several children. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also joined that briefing alongside activist Omoyele Sowore.

The Nigeria coup plot arrests began on October 4, 2025, when Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, then Director of Defence Information, announced that 16 officers faced detention for alleged breaches of military regulations. A subsequent investigation also pointed to alleged surveillance of the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks and major airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date.

Those in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji and a mix of lieutenant colonels, majors, captains and lieutenants. The alleged plot reportedly targeted President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.