Group Appeals To President Buhari To Pardon 54 Nigerian Soldiers Facing Jail Term For Refusing To Fight Boko Haram With Poor Weapons

In celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant mercy to 54 Nigerian soldiers imprisoned for refusing to fight Boko Haram insurgents with poor weapons.

The group, in a statement signed by its President, Professor Ishaq Akintola, noted that the 54 soldiers actually exposed the $2.1 billion arms fraud. They are whistle-blowers, not criminals.

The statement partly reads: “Paradoxically, while other whistle-blowers are being rewarded, the 54 soldiers are languishing in jail. This casts a shadow on our war against corruption. It is very disheartening.

“In the spirit of the Compassion Day which the Prophet’s birthday signifies, MURIC appeals to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to grant presidential pardon to the 54 soldiers.

“We call on civil society, particularly anti-corruption crusaders to speak out for the 54 soldiers. We also appeal to state governors and 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.”