By SpringnewsNG Media Limited | May 27, 2025

A disturbing case of alleged human rights abuse is unfolding within the Nigerian Army, as 25-year-old Sergeant Amina Sani Maidoki remains in illegal detention without trial for over six weeks. The young female soldier, who served as aide-de-camp (ADC) to Salamatu Faruk Yahaya—wife of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya (retd)—was accused of stealing $50,000 from the couple’s Abuja residence.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Amina has been held incommunicado, denied access to legal representation, and has not been formally charged. Family members and human rights activists are raising alarms over the military’s silence and alleged cover-up.

Efforts to get clarity from the Nigerian Army have been unsuccessful. When SaharaReporters reached out to Army spokesperson Lt Col Onyinyechi Anele earlier this month, she claimed ignorance and promised an investigation. However, she has failed to provide any update since then.

According to family sources, the young sergeant is being tortured daily at the Yakubu Gowon Barracks in Abuja to force a confession. Initially detained at the Yahaya residence, Amina was later moved to the military facility, where her basic rights have allegedly been grossly violated.

“They’ve seized her belongings and demanded that she repays the money before they consider releasing her,” one family member told SaharaReporters. “Her brother was even invited for questioning and told to submit his bank statements—nothing incriminating was found.”

Family members have since been barred from visiting Amina and now claim they are facing threats from military personnel. “They told us to stop coming. We believe this is an attempt to silence us and shield those really responsible,” said a relative.

There is growing concern that Amina is being scapegoated for a crime that has not undergone any formal investigation or judicial process. No evidence has been made public, and the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement.

“This is a gross miscarriage of justice,” said a source close to the family. “If they believe she’s guilty, let them charge her to court. Why resort to torture and secrecy?”

The family’s attempt to seek legal redress has hit a wall, with military authorities blocking all efforts to access the detained soldier or gather any credible information about her wellbeing.

Human rights groups and civil society organizations are now calling on the Nigerian government and military leadership to intervene, investigate the case transparently, and ensure that justice is served in accordance with Nigerian law and international human rights standards.