Woman and Baby Held Without Trial Since March Now Critically Ill in Suleja Prison, Husband Cries Out

A woman identified as Jamila Ibrahim and her infant have become severely malnourished and critically ill after being detained for over four months without trial at Suleja Correctional Facility, Niger State.

Jamila was arrested by police officers in March 2025 at Wuse Market, Abuja, during a protest allegedly linked to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiites.

Reports indicate she was apprehended with her one-month-old baby and has remained in custody since, without being formally charged or arraigned in court.

Family sources revealed that Jamila is not a member of the IMN but had voluntarily joined the protest. “She was picked up with her infant and taken into custody without any notification to her family. Since then, she’s been detained in terrible conditions alongside the baby,” a relative stated.

Initial detention reportedly took place at the now-defunct SARS office before the mother and child were transferred to Suleja Prison. A source who visited the prison confirmed that both are in worsening health conditions and lack proper medical care and nutrition.

Jamila’s husband, Musbau Soliu, expressed deep frustration in a video message, alleging that the police demanded ₦250,000 to facilitate her release, which he paid to no avail. He also disclosed spending ₦130,000 on legal representation, yet the case has not progressed.

“My wife is a tailor. She had gone to the market to buy sewing materials during Sallah when police began randomly arresting women in hijabs. Her friend escaped, but my wife, who was carrying our baby, couldn’t,” Musbau said.

He described the ongoing ordeal as a grave injustice, highlighting the trauma and suffering endured by his wife and their child in prison.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Nigerian Police Force or relevant judicial authorities.