Nigerian Navy Dismisses Seaman Detained for 6 Years
In a shocking turn of events, the Nigerian Navy has announced the dismissal of Seaman Haruna Abbas, who had been detained for approximately six years. The dismissal comes after his wife, Hussaina Iliya, spoke out on a popular radio station in Abuja, claiming that her husband was unjustly detained by the military since 2018.
Abbas was reportedly detained over an incident involving the attempt to disarm him, leading to charges of disobedience to orders, resisting arrest, and destruction of service property. Despite claiming guilt to all charges during his trial, Abbas was dismissed from the military after the court martial found him guilty.
The Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, confirmed the dismissal at a press briefing in Abuja, emphasizing that Abbas had been found guilty and subsequently sentenced to a reduction in rate from Seaman to Ordinary Seaman, as well as dismissal with ignominy. The dismissal was ratified by Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, after a thorough investigation into the matter.
Dismissal of Seaman Abbas has sparked debate among Nigerians with Gusau addressing the issue of mental health, stating that medical professionals had deemed Abbas fit to stand trial. The dismissal was based on the belief that Abbas’ actions warranted disciplinary action, leading to his eventual dismissal from the military.
This recent development sheds light on the challenges faced by military personnel and the importance of upholding discipline within the Nigerian Navy.