Nigerian Army Detains Major Over Alleged Tactical Withdrawal From Boko Haram Battle

The Nigerian Army has reportedly detained Major Shamsudeen Sani, a frontline officer who has spent years fighting Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents in northeastern Nigeria, placing him in solitary confinement for several months.

Papers News learnt that the officer was detained after allegedly withdrawing his troops from a position under heavy terrorist threat in order to prevent casualties and seek reinforcement.

A security source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Tuesday disclosed that the officer has been held incommunicado in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, without access to his family members or legal representation.

According to the source, Major Sani, who hails from Jalingo in Taraba State, was arrested after reportedly withdrawing his troops from a battlefield position during an operation against insurgents linked to Boko Haram and the ISWAP.

Military authorities allegedly accused the officer of abandoning or overrunning his location, an allegation that has reportedly led to his prolonged detention under strict conditions.

The security source described Major Sani as a dedicated officer who had spent most of his military career in volatile areas in the fight against insurgency.

“He is a brother of mine from Taraba State and his hometown is Jalingo,” the source said.

“He was shortlisted into the Nigerian Army Short Service Course in 2012 and since then he has always been posted to volatile areas of Maiduguri to fight Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP.”

According to the source, the officer has consistently served in dangerous combat zones and spent several years on the frontline of the counter-insurgency war in Nigeria’s northeast.

However, his recent battlefield decision to reportedly withdraw his troops in order to safeguard their lives is said to have resulted in his arrest.

“He has been arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri and has been kept in solitary confinement for months over allegations that he overran his location,” the source said.

‘Is It A Crime To Tactically Withdraw?’ – Source

The source questioned the military’s decision to detain the officer, arguing that tactical withdrawals are sometimes necessary during combat operations.

“Is it a crime to tactically withdraw from a location to regroup or await reinforcement?” the source asked.

He further alleged that Major Sani had been cut off entirely from his family members and legal representatives since his detention began.

“He has been kept incommunicado away from his two wives and even lawyers do not have access to him,” the source said.

The officer, according to the source, is married to two wives and has children who have not been allowed to see him since his arrest.

“He has two wives and children and all of them have been denied access to see him just because he was protecting his troops from being killed,” the source added.

The source also expressed frustration over what he described as the harsh treatment of an officer who had spent over a decade risking his life in the fight against insurgency.

“This is someone I know and how dedicated he has always been to the safety of Nigeria, but look at how the Nigerian Army is paying him back,” the source said.

“For 14 years since he passed out from the Army, he has always been posted to volatile areas.”

The source also pointed out that the war against insurgency had already claimed the lives of several officers from Taraba State.

“Just recently we lost another brother in the Army from Taraba, Major I.U. Mairiga, less than a week ago to the Boko Haram insurgents,” the source said.

“We do not want to lose another brother.”

Papers News understands that the continued detention of Major Sani has raised concerns among colleagues and acquaintances who fear that the officer may be unfairly punished for making a battlefield decision intended to preserve lives.

“If the Nigerian Army doesn’t want him, they should please dismiss him so that he can come back home to reunite with his family,” the source said.

“We still love him.”

The source further criticised what he described as declining morale within the military, warning that the treatment of officers like Major Sani could discourage soldiers fighting on the frontline.

“The Nigerian Army is making the entire profession a death sentence instead of it being a sacrifice for the country,” the source added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding Major Sani’s detention or the claims that he had been held without access to family members or legal counsel.