Army court-martials six soldiers for murder

Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday brought six military personnel from various units of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, before a General Court Martial over allegation of murder and other offences.

The soldiers were also accused of manslaughter, stealing, negligence of performance of military duties, sexual relationship with spouse of military personnel, disgraceful conduct of indecent nature, and scandalous conduct.

The trial began after the General Officer Commanding at the division, Maj. Gen. Laz Ilo, inaugurated the General Court Martial in Ibadan, which is presided over by Brig. Gen. Ibikunle Raji with five other members.

Those arraigned were a major, one captain, one lieutenant, one second lieutenant, one corporal and one private.

The GOC said the military formation was anchored and driven by core values and discipline.

He said, “In administration of discipline in the Nigerian Army, we ensure that justice is never miscarried. The accused, who have committed the offence, are given ample opportunity and are required to defend themselves. Under my command, the division will not tolerate any form of indiscipline. I will not condone any form of indiscipline. Every act of indiscipline and every manifestation of indiscipline must be decisively dealt with. No act of indiscipline will go unpunished.”

Ilo said that the inauguration of the court martial was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, to guarantee a “professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles to the nation.”

The GOC said a human rights desk had been established at the division where complaints about erring military personnel from the public would be accepted and investigated.