Army soldiers security
Nigeria’s military court sitting in Maiduguri has convicted four soldiers for aiding terrorists, arms trafficking, and other offences that compromised national security.
The General Court Martial, convened by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, found the soldiers guilty on multiple counts, including theft of weapons, illegal sale of ammunition, and collaboration with Boko Haram insurgents.
Delivering judgment, Court President Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi sentenced three soldiers—Sergeant Raphael Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje—to life imprisonment
Investigations revealed that Sgt. Ameh, an armourer with the 7 Division Garrison, conspired with the late LCpl. Ogbogo Isaac and some policemen from 30 PMF to smuggle weapons concealed in bags of beans to Enugu and Ebonyi States. He was also linked to more than 100 suspicious bank transactions between 2022 and 2024
Similarly, Sgt. Ejiga Musa was convicted of selling AK-47 rifles and large quantities of ammunition, receiving over ₦500,000 before his arrest while attempting another illegal transaction with a police officer.
The court found that LCpl. Ocheje supplied arms to militias during a communal clash and stole an AK-47 rifle, while Corporal Rufus sold 40 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a policeman.
Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi described their actions as a betrayal of the Nigerian Army’s core values, saying: “These bad eggs betrayed the trust, discipline, and honour expected of soldiers.”
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against arms racketeering, warning that any personnel found aiding insurgents or engaging in unlawful aArmy soldiers securityrms deals will face severe consequences.
This ruling comes weeks after another soldier was dismissed and jailed for supplying equipment to Boko Haram in Borno State.
About the Author
