JUST IN: Military Dismisses Seaman Who Was Detained for Six Years

The Nigerian military has officially dismissed Seaman Haruna Abbas, who had been detained for approximately six years. His dismissal follows claims made by his wife, Hussaina Iliya, on a popular Abuja radio station, alleging that her husband was unjustly held by the military since 2018 due to an attempt to disarm him.

The situation escalated after Hussaina’s statements gained traction, prompting Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to order an investigation into the matter.

During a press briefing held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, confirmed that Abbas was dismissed after the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, ratified a court-martial decision made on September 19, 2024.

Gusau revealed that Abbas faced three charges: disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destruction of service property. These charges fall under Sections 56 (1), 86 (1), and 66 (c) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation 2004. He noted that Abbas pleaded guilty to the allegations.

“The General Court Martial (GCM) thoroughly examined testimonies from both the prosecution and defence, as well as the evidence presented,” Gusau explained. “Abbas pleaded guilty to all charges, which was a significant factor in the court’s decision.”

The GCM ultimately found Abbas guilty and dismissed him with effect from February 7, 2023. Following his arraignment, he was placed on open arrest pending the Chief of Naval Staff’s confirmation of the court’s judgment.

“Abbas was sentenced to a reduction in rank from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman on the first count and was dismissed with ignominy on counts two and three,” Gusau stated. He further clarified that Abbas was kept under open arrest at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja until the judgment was ratified.

Gusau also addressed concerns regarding Abbas’s mental health, stating that medical evaluations confirmed he was fit to stand trial. “We have documentation showing he is mentally fit for trial, with medical personnel testifying to his condition,” he stated.

The issues surrounding Abbas’s case reportedly began when he exhibited disruptive behavior during a military parade. According to Gusau, Abbas continually interrupted his commanding officer’s address, which led to a directive for him to report to the guardroom. When he refused and resisted arrest, he allegedly fired 16 rounds of ammunition in an attempt to evade capture.

“The case against Ex-Seaman Abbas began when he misbehaved during a parade, directly disobeying orders from his commanding officer,” Gusau explained. “His actions prompted a thorough investigation and ultimately led to his trial by court-martial.”