Clutching signs that read “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough,” the obviously upset demonstrators gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly compound and marched slowly.

The children, many of whom they claimed had not seen in months, cried and spoke in shaky voices as they demanded justice and access to their fathers.

Halima Mohammed, Lt Col Mohammed Almakura’s eight-year-old daughter, implored, “Please don’t kill our daddy.” Justice for him is what we seek.

“Our lives have never been the same since the government arrested him. Every day, my mother sobs. I miss him terribly.

Major Bala’s nine-year-old son, Ibrahim Bala, likewise conveyed a strong desire for his dad.

“Let the government return my father safely.” I haven’t seen him in nine months. He is sorely missed. I used to learn stuff from him about education and how kids should act around adults.

“I’m in the fourth grade. However, it has been roughly six months since I last saw him. Without him, our home has been lonely. He added, “I also miss him because no one used to take me out the way he used to.”

Wing Commander Yusuf’s four-year-old daughter, Fatima Yusuf, made a heartfelt appeal to the country’s authorities.

“I want to beg the President and our First Lady to bring my daddy safely back,” she declared. I have no one to play with now that he’s gone. He always brought me out and taught me things I didn’t know.

Nana Aisha Usman, 11, pleaded with the authorities to either charge the jailed officers in court or free them.

“Please assist us in pleading with the authorities to either free my father or prosecute him. Justice is due to him and the others incarcerated. The house is empty without him since he was taken away.

He brings me shopping and makes purchases for me while he’s at home. He is always pleased to assist me with my assignments whenever I bring them. My dad is not a bad person, in my opinion. He never intended to hurt anyone. I want the authorities to assist us in our investigation and his release.
However, their relatives and attorneys have been refused access to them. They should publicly display any proof they may have of their involvement.

“They should charge them in court and make public the number of those that are detained or indicted. We are merely requesting that.

“After all, they’ve declared that their thorough inquiry and evidence are complete. Why the wait, then? They ought to prosecute them and present the proof.

“We want an open trial so that everyone may hear the charges and present their own defense. They ought to be released if they can establish their innocence beyond a reasonable doubt. Enough is sufficient!

The demonstration takes place approximately one month after the families of the policemen in custody pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to allow them to see their husbands and guarantee their release or arraignment in court.
At least twenty spouses and several of the arrested officers’ children, including a two-month-old infant, attended a press conference in Abuja when the appeal was made.

Human rights attorney Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore accompanied the families.

The families bemoaned the fact that the officers had been detained for more than 160 days without a trial or communication with their family members throughout the briefing, calling it a violation of their fundamental rights.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru claimed that although the accusations had been widely reported, families were still unaware of the fate of their loved ones and that the protracted confinement had caused anxiety and emotional pain in their households.

They made a direct appeal to the President and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to step in, emphasizing that their desire was for adherence to constitutional provisions rather than favors.

On October 4, 2025, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defense Information at the time, made the initial announcement regarding the arrest of the indicted officers. He said that 16 officers had been arrested for alleged indiscipline and violations of military laws.

However, an interim investigation later revealed the presence of a covert network of officers that had started preparing for a coup, purportedly under the direction of a senior Army general.
The report stated that the intended date of the operation was October 25, 2025, and that the alleged scheme entailed surveillance of important national assets, including as the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports.

Brig. Gen. M. A. Sadiq, Col. M. A. Maaji, Lt. Col. S. Bappah, Lt. Col. A. A. Hayatu, Lt. Col. P. Dangnap, Lt. Col. M. Almakura, Maj. A. J. Ibrahim, Maj. M. M. Jiddah, and Maj. M. A. Usman are reportedly in jail.

Maj. D. Yusuf, Capt. I. Bello, Capt. A. A. Yusuf, Lt. S. S. Felix, Lt. Cdr. D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn. Ldr. S. B. Adamu, and Maj. I. Dauda are among the others.

Findings indicate that President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were among the top government leaders targeted by the purported scheme.