Wife Of Former Army Accused Of Illegally Detaining, Ordered Daily Torture Of Female Soldier Over Missing $50,000

The wife of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (retd.), Hajiya Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, has been accused of unlawfully detaining and torturing a 25-year-old female soldier, Amina Sani Maidoki, who was attached to her. The alleged abuse reportedly followed claims by Mrs. Yahaya that $50,000 went missing from her residence in Abuja.

SaharaReporters learned that Hajiya Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, wife of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, ordered the illegal detention of 25-year-old female soldier Amina Sani Maidoki, who has been held at a military guardroom in Abuja for over a month without trial.

Amina, who served as her ADC, was accused after $50,000 reportedly went missing from the residence. “They began interrogating the soldiers one by one,” a relative told SaharaReporters, adding that Amina, who grew up in their home, was detained after denying any involvement.

Sources revealed that after her arrest on April 3, 2025, she was first held in the private residence before being moved to a military facility, where she is allegedly tortured daily. “They seized her belongings and said she must pay back the money before being released,” a family source claimed.

Despite threats of legal action from her family, Salamatu allegedly insisted on keeping the matter out of public view. The family also suspects that older children in the household may be involved but says only the junior soldiers are being targeted.

“She’s being punished without charge. If she’s guilty, take her to court—not torture her,” a relative said.

When contacted, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Onyinyechi Anele said she was unaware of the incident but promised to investigate.

This case echoes a similar situation involving 15 domestic workers allegedly detained without conviction by former First Lady Patience Jonathan since 2019 over an unresolved theft claim.