About 100 more soldiers are to be
court-martialled by the Nigerian military for a number of offences relating to
the on-going fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
An online journal, Premium Times
reported that its sources disclosed that 118 soldiers have been
transported from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to face charges in Abuja,
a week after 54 soldiers were sentenced to death for refusing to fight Boko
Haram.
It is not clear when the troops will
be arraigned before the court martial, the sources said. Unlike their
colleagues who were convicted last Wednesday, the soldiers awaiting trial are
not accused of mutiny.
Army spokesperson, Olajide Laleye, said he was unaware of the development.
Army spokesperson, Olajide Laleye, said he was unaware of the development.
Sources also said that the soldiers
are accused of relatively minor charges including loss or misplacement of
rifles during operations against Boko Haram.
The allegations follow repeated
reports of troops fleeing Boko Haram fighters and abandoning their weapons for
the militants in Borno and Adamawa States.
Boko Haram militants have flaunted
arms they claimed were seized from government forces in several videos.
The 54 soldiers who were earlier
sentenced to death belonged to the 111 Special Forces battalion attached to the
7 Division of the army in Maiduguri.
They are to die by firing squad, the
military court ruled last week.
The soldiers were accused of
disobeying a direct order from superior officers to take part in an operation
aimed at dislodging Boko Haram terrorists from Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in
Borno State.
The soldiers said they refused to
take part in the operation because the Army did not provide them with the
required combat and support equipment needed for such operations.
Our sources said the convicted
soldiers have been moved to Lagos to await appeal, pardon or execution.
Also, in September, 12 soldiers were
sentenced to death by firing squad for shooting at a car conveying their
commanding officer, Ahmed Mohammed, a Major General.
The attack occurred May 14 at the
army’s 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri, headed at the time by
Mohammed.
Others were also sentenced to life
in jail for criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit murder.
The soldiers revolted after some of
their colleagues were ambushed and killed by Boko Haram extremists, an attack
they blamed their commander for.
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