The Nigerian Army yesterday said about 600 of its officers and soldiers were facing court martial for various offences, before the general courts-martial sitting in Lagos and Abuja. The army authorities also explained that the Army Council had not sat to either confirm or reverse the death sentence passed last year on 66 soldiers convicted for mutiny by a general court-martial, making it difficult for the victims to appeal the verdict. Addressing journalists, the acting director of army public relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman said, “There are currently two separate courts-martial going on in the Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army, with a view to ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism.”
Usman further said that 473 of the soldiers were facing the court martial at the Army Headquarters Garrison, while 106 soldiers were standing trial at 81 Division, Lagos State.
The soldiers were said to be facing trial for offences ranging from insubordination and disobedience to acts of cowardice, refusal to carry out military duties and indiscipline, amongst others.
According to Usman, it was common practice in the military to court martial any soldier who runs foul or the law and whom the authorities feel cannot be summarily dismissed.
Usman also said that since the detention of the soldiers had depleted the number of personnel prosecuting the war, the army was already adding to its personnel strength in the North East.
Col Usman however said that not all the court-martialled officers were guilty of mutiny, but that an “unprecedented number of them was on trial.”
He said that 481 personnel of the Armed Forces Special Forces, which comprises personnel of the army, navy, air force and the police, had completed training and had been inducted into the theatre of operations within 7 Division’s area of responsibility.
He said an additional battalion, 151 Battalion, had also completed its training and induction into the theatre, while two other battalions, 152 and 153 Battalions, were currently undergoing training and would be inducted on completion.
“Additionally, Army Headquarters Task Force Group is currently in the last phase of its training, while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi, has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel. Moreover, personnel training on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the United Kingdom and United States is ongoing,” Usman said.
He also disclosed that 2,388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State, would pass out on Friday May 22, which would also boost the personnel strength of the army.
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