The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed strong concerns over the alleged mistreatment of Seaman Abbas, a naval officer, who has reportedly been subjected to unjust punishment by his military superiors. In a statement released by the NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the group condemned the reported circumstances surrounding Abbas’s imprisonment.
The allegations came to light when Mrs. Husaina Abbas, the wife of Seaman Abbas, appeared on Berkete Family TV in Abuja. She narrated the ordeal her husband had been facing, raising questions about accountability and ethics within the military leadership. According to Mrs. Abbas, her husband was sentenced to six years in prison by his superior, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad S. Adamu, who commands the battalion Abbas serves in.
The NEF noted with concern that the reasons behind the punishment did not appear to involve any form of criminality or misconduct on Abbas’s part. Instead, the punishment was allegedly linked to Abbas organizing a prayer gathering with his fellow soldiers. The forum pointed out that this was an act of promoting spiritual unity and moral strength among the troops, which should be seen as a positive initiative rather than an offense.
In the statement, NEF said; “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.”
“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.
