By Yusuf Kabir Roni
The Shi’ite community has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the release of several hundreds of their detained loved ones including minors, who have been held in Wawa Barracks, several other military detention centres and different Correctional Centers for several years without trial.
While some of the detainees were arrested before the 2015 Shiite genocide by President, others were arrested during and after the genocide in Abuja and in different locations during their usual peaceful rallies.
The detainees have had their rights to liberty and education violated, sparking concerns of human rights abuses.
The ETTRAH Voice for Freedom and Human Rights has written an open letter to the President through the Minister of Interior, urging the government to ensure fair and speedy trials or release those not formally charged.
The letter highlights the case of Mr. Haruna Abbas and three others, who have spent over 13 years in detention without trial. It also notes that some detainees are minors between 13-16 years old, including secondary and tertiary students, and young females detained in these secret military detention centres where they have been subjected to different forms of horrendous tortures that lead to the deaths of several of them.
According to Comrade Abdullahi Hassan, National Director of ETTRAH. “Their continued detention is a grave violation of justice and human rights.”
The community recalls the 2022 Kuje Correctional Facility attack, where the over 140 detained Shi’ite members chose to remain in custody despite having the opportunity to escape, demonstrating discipline and respect for the law.
The appeal calls on President Tinubu to direct the release of detainees not formally charged and ensure fair trials for those with pending cases, promoting justice, peace, and national reconciliation.
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