In what appears to be an abuse of power and misuse of uniform, some Nigerian soldiers have been arrested, and found guilty of abduction.
The duo, identified as Sgt. Aliyu Hassan and Cpl. Bello Nasiru, who were found guilty of abduction by a Nigerian Army General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri.
It was gathered that handed a 5-year jail sentence were jailed after they were found guilty of the three-count of civil offences bordering on attempt to commit abduction and extortion.
The two Nigerian soldiers who were sentenced to five-year imprisonment on the first and third count charge which were to run concurrently, were also demoted the convicts to the ranks of Corporal and Private, respectively by the court which sat at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.
Three officers were also demoted after the suspects’ conviction for cowardice, indiscipline and negligence to duty. The officers were Cpt. Alhamdu Kwasau, Cpt. Jimen Babangida and Lt Sunusi Bello.
Read below the statement released by Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, the Director, Army Public Relations;
PRESS RELEASE: ARMY SANCTIONS ERRING PERSONNEL FOR MISCONDUCT
1. Three Nigerian Army officers and two soldiers were on Tuesday 2nd October 2018 sanctioned, by the General Court Martial (GCM) sitting in Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri Borno State, to try erring personnel on various offences against them.
2. Speaking while delivering the judgement, the President of the Court Martial Brigadier General Olusegun Adesina stated that the offences were bordered on cowardice, negligence, abduction and discipline.
3. One of the accused, Captain Alhamdu Kwasau was found guilty of offences of cowardly behaviour and negligence while carrying out his military duty. He was reduced to the rank of a Lieutenant with two years lost of seniority on the rank
4. Similarly, Captain Jimen Babangida and Lieutenant Sanusi Bello were also found guilty of conduct prejudice to service discipline. Captain Babangida bagged 9 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank while Lieutenant Bello earned 6 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank of Lieutenant.
5. In the offence of disobedience to standing order, Captain Babangida is to suffer additional 9 months forfeiture of seniority on the rank of a Captain.
6. Also in a 3- count charge of civil offences bordering on abduction, attempt to commit offence of abduction and extortion against one Sergeant Aliyu Hassan and Lance Corporal Bello Nasiru, the two soldiers were awarded five years imprisonment on the 1st and 3rd offences which are to run concurrently. They were also demoted to the ranks of Corporal and Private respectively.
7. He further stated that, all the verdicts passed by the Court are subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority, adding that the court martial is to keep troops in check and ensure strict adherence to the code of conduct guiding counter insurgency operations in the North East while protecting human rights.
8. The proceedings of the General Court Martial was adjudged fair by both the defence and prosecuting counsel while it was monitored by members of the press.
9. You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium to the general public.
10. Thank you for your kind cooperation.
TEXAS CHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
