Posts
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has described as “unjust treatment” the recent report about Seaman Abbas (Navy), a military officer.
The forum noted that as narrated by Mrs. Husaina Abbas during her appearance on the Berkete Family TV station in the Federal Capital, Abuja, the circumstances surrounding the incarceration of Seaman Abbas raised grave alarms about the accountability and ethical standards within the military hierarchy.
A statement issued by the NEF Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said according to Mrs. Abbas, her husband had been subjected to a punitive six-year imprisonment by his superior, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad S. Adamu, the commander of his battalion.
It explained, “The reported basis for this draconian punishment is not rooted in any criminality nor misconduct that would warrant such a severe sentence.
“Rather, it stems from Colonel Abbas’s commendable act of gathering soldiers under his command for prayer— a reflection of his commitment to the moral and spiritual well-being of his troops. This attack on his character and authority is not only an outrage but an affront to the values we hold dear in our society.”
It added, “Our military, often regarded as the backbone of national security, must be a model of integrity and respect for human dignity.
“The decision to punish a soldier for promoting unity and spiritual strength among his peers raises profound questions about the leadership and operational ethos within the force.
“Such an act does not only demoralize those still serving, it sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine the collective spirit necessary for effective military operation.”
Reports, according to the statement, indicated that Abbas had suffered severe mental distress as a direct consequence of the unjust treatment.
“We must remind ourselves that our military personnel are human beings worthy of dignity and respect, not mere instruments of control under the whims of superior officers,” the statement further explained.
The Northern elders demanded that the military hierarchy take immediate steps to review the case and provide the necessary support for Abbas’s rehabilitation as it was critical that “the injustices he had faced be addressed with urgency to restore his dignity and that of his family.”
The forum also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and any similar abuse within the military ranks.
No comments