Release 54 Jailed Soldiers Now, Muslim Group Tells Buhari

Bayo Akinloye

President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon by an Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern, to order the release of 54 soldiers who were imprisoned for refusing to fight against Boko Haram insurgents because they were allegedly provided with poor weapons.

In a statement by MURIC’s Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, urged the President to use the marking of the end of Ramadan as an auspicious period to set the soldiers free.

He said: “The month of Ramadan is, essentially, the month of mercy. Its beginning is a blessing; its middle is for forgiveness, while its end is freedom. MURIC reminds President Muhammadu Buhari of the plight of the 54 soldiers who were imprisoned for refusing to fight Boko Haram insurgents with poor weapons.

“They were sentenced to life imprisonment ab initio before the sentence was commuted to ten years imprisonment. MURIC sees the 54 soldiers as whistle-blowers, not criminals because they actually exposed the $2.1 billion arms fraud. It is a sad paradox that while other whistle-blowers are being rewarded, the 54 soldiers are languishing in jail. This is frustrating.”

Therefore, he appealed to Buhari “in the spirit of the forgiveness and freedom which the middle and end of Ramadan stand for, to grant the 54 prisoners presidential pardon using his prerogative of mercy.

The statement further called on the civil society and anti-corruption bodies to appeal to Buhari on behalf of the prisoners.

“We call on civil society, particularly anti-corruption crusaders to speak out for the 54 soldiers. We also remind state governors and state chief judges to use the occasion to visit prisons in their states with a view to setting free a large number of inmates particularly those awaiting trial,” it said.

The Muslim group also congratulated the President and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the occasion of the Muslim festival, Id Al-Fitr.

“The MURIC felicitates with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on this auspicious occasion. We also congratulate the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and the entire Nigerian citizenry for successfully observing this year’s Ramadan.”

Meanwhile, the group has asked Nigerians to supplicate on behalf of Buhari for divine protection and victory in the 2019 presidential election.

“Finally, we charge Nigerian Muslims to use the occasion of the Id Al-Fitr to pray fervently for President Buhari and the Nigerian nation. Prayer points should include divine protection for Buhari, triumph over all forces lined up against him and four-year tenure of peace, prosperity and progress,” Akintola said.