“Not Sympathy, But Justice”: Soldiers’ Wives Seek Presidential Mercy

According to Ireporter Online, families of soldiers detained at the 7 Division Military Police Facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, have made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant their loved ones a presidential pardon.

In a statement jointly signed by Mrs. Rosel David and Mrs. Abigail Jonathan, the relatives admitted that the soldiers committed offences but emphasized that they have shown remorse and deserve a second chance. The families stressed that many of the soldiers have been held for months and years, and they now seek forgiveness and the opportunity to return to service with renewed loyalty.

They drew attention to the fact that amnesty has previously been extended to repentant Boko Haram insurgents and bandits, arguing that soldiers who once risked their lives defending the nation deserve equal compassion. “If insurgents and bandits can be forgiven, then soldiers who fought to preserve our people and territory also deserve mercy,” the group noted.

The families appealed directly to President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Governor of Borno State, and Nigerians at large to support their plea, stating that this was not merely a call for sympathy but for justice tempered with compassion. They further maintained that granting pardon would restore the dignity of the detained soldiers and strengthen trust between the military and the nation.

The appeal concluded with a heartfelt prayer: “We appeal for mercy. We appeal for a presidential pardon. We appeal for the support of all Nigerians. God bless the President. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”