The chief of defence staff (CDS), Christoper Musa, has ordered an investigation into the alleged detention of Abbas Haruna, a seaman in Nigeria.
An allegation from the wife of the victim, while speaking on Brekete Family, a programme on Human Rights Radio, claimed that the husband had been detained for the past six years without any form of trial after a senior officer ordered his arrest.
While speaking on the arrest of the seaman, the acting director of defence information Tukur Gusau, confirmed that the chief of defence staff has directed an immediate investigation into the allegation made by the wife.
The statement acknowledges the video which was circulating online which had alleged that a Naval rating, Seaman Abbas Haruna, has been arrested for six years unjustly without any form of trial.
The statement also noted that through the defence headquarters, the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to upholding justice, fairness, and the rule of law. He noted the the military court-martial process, though rigorous, ensures that there is fairness equal opportunity, and justice in accordance with established military procedures and the law.
The statement disclosed that after the allegations video was seen circulating in the social media space, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, given an order to investigate the incident with the intention that the outcome of the incident would be made public to for public awareness.
In another statement, the chairman of the House of Representatives, Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, described the allegations as heartlessness, noting that the committee would probe the incident and ensure the people involved were brought to justice to serve as a lesson to others.
The statement noted that the House of Representatives Committee on Navy has expressed its commitment to investigate the alleged unlawful detention of Seaman Abbas Haruna for nearly six years. The statement dissclsoed that the victim was detaind on the order of one Brigadier General MS Adamu. It was noted that all the persons involved in the incident would be made to face the full consequence of the actions which is against due process.
The statement also explained that the difficult situations that the victim has been passed through started in 2018 when he was drafted on a joint operation in Sarti Baruwa Taraba state. On the operation, he was sent under the command of Brigadier MS Adamu. The statement further explained that during the operation, a misunderstanding arose between them, which led to the detention of the seaman under an inhuman condition for several years without proper trial as enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2004 Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
In the narration by the victim’s wife, the audience in the studio was left pondering after a minor misunderstanding with the superior led to his detention for years without trial or release.
The statement further noted that the degree of heartlessness exhibited by Brigadier General MS Adamu to his subordinate over a minor incident, has drawn wide condemnation from millions of conscious Nigerians who heard the story.
The committee chairman further expiend that the unusual story of the Seaman Abbas Haruna,which was narrated on the live radio and TV programme has prompted the House of Representatives Committee on Navy to wade into the matter with the view of unfolding the truth and upholding the integrity of our military and the right of every individual under the extant law of the land.
He noted that there was a need to bring all those who a into the out to justice and also follow up with the military hierarchy to ensure everyone who has a hand in the gross violation of Seaman Abbas’ rights are decisively punished.
