Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and the wives of detained Nigerian military officers staged a protest in Abuja on Friday, demanding that authorities either formally charge the officers in court over the alleged coup plot against the Federal Government or release them.
The demonstration follows increasing concern about the continued detention of several officers accused of plotting to remove the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu from power.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian Armed Forces detained at least 16 senior officers in connection with the suspected coup attempt.
Most of the protesters were women, many of them spouses of the detained officers, who gathered in the Federal Capital Territory carrying placards and urging President Tinubu’s administration to intervene in the matter.
Sowore and lawyer-activist Deji Adeyanju joined the families during the protest, calling for adherence to due process in the handling of the case.
Speaking during a briefing, the visibly emotional wives said their demand was not for preferential treatment but for justice and transparency regarding the fate of their husbands.
“We are not asking for a favour; we are asking for justice to be done. Charge our husbands to court if there is evidence, but if there is none, let them go free,” one of the wives said.
“For more than five months, our families 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.”
They explained that the past months had been extremely difficult for their families as they struggled with uncertainty while the allegations against their husbands continued to circulate publicly.
“These past months have been deeply painful for our families. We have watched helplessly as narratives are presented to the public, subjecting our husbands to trial by media. At the same time, some of us have faced intimidation from the very men in uniform meant to protect Nigerians.”
The families stated that the prolonged detention had left them with unanswered questions while their husbands and fathers were subjected to what they described as “trial by media.”
“Our husbands and fathers have served this country faithfully 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,” they said.
They also questioned what they described as inconsistencies in the allegations against the officers.
According to them, the public was initially told that $12 billion had been discovered in the account of one of the officers.
However, they said the narrative later changed, with reports now suggesting that $835 million was found in a company account rather than in the personal account of any officer.
The wives also said the reasons given for the arrests appeared to have shifted over time.
“At first, the officers were reportedly arrested for indiscipline. Later, the allegation became conspiracy to commit a coup d’état. We respectfully ask what changed,” they said.
They argued that if investigations had indeed been concluded, as earlier indicated by military authorities, the appropriate step should now be to begin trial proceedings in an open court.
“We do not want anything done secretly or through trial by media. If our husbands are guilty, let it be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But if they are innocent, justice demands that they be set free,” they said.
The families also appealed to the Nigerian military to show compassion and transparency by allowing them access to the detained officers.
“Grant us access to our husbands. Let us see them and know that they are safe and alive,” the appeal read.
Reports about the arrests of the military officers first surfaced in January 2026.
Although the military initially said the detentions were related to disciplinary issues such as failure in promotion examinations and breaches of service regulations, security sources later linked the arrests to a suspected plot to overthrow the government.
Authorities also alleged that the suspected conspirators had compiled a list of high-profile targets.
Following investigations reportedly conducted by security agencies, including the Defence Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services, the military confirmed in January 2026 that a coup plot had been uncovered.
The detained officers are expected to face a military judicial panel, also known as a court-martial, where formal trial proceedings may take place.
As of the time of filing this report, military authorities had not issued an official response to the protest organised by the families of the detained officers.
What you should know
Omoyele Sowore is a Nigerian activist, politician, and former presidential candidate known for his strong stance on governance, civil liberties, and accountability.
He gained national attention through activism and public protests demanding political reforms in Nigeria. The protest in Abuja highlights growing concerns over due process and transparency in cases involving alleged coup plots.
Families of detained officers are demanding that the military either present evidence in court or release the officers, insisting that justice must be carried out openly under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
