Maiduguri, Borno State — A Special Court Martial convened by the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri has handed down life imprisonment sentences to three soldiers and a 15-year jail term to another after finding them guilty of arms and ammunition racketeering, theft, and aiding the enemy.
The trial, presided over by Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess, convicted Sergeant Raphael Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje to life imprisonment, while Corporal Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
According to evidence before the court, Sgt Ameh, an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, conspired with late LCpl Ogbogo Isaac and others to divert ammunition from the Division’s arms store. The stolen weapons were concealed in bags of beans and smuggled to Enugu and Ebonyi States for criminal use, with proceeds laundered through over 100 bank transactions.
Sgt Ejiga, formerly an armourer with 195 Battalion, was found guilty of selling AK-47 rifles and ammunition in collaboration with LCpl Ocheje and police personnel. Records showed he pocketed over ₦500,000 before being exposed while attempting another illicit deal.
Cpl Omitoye was convicted for selling 40 rounds of ammunition to a police officer, while LCpl Ocheje was nailed for diverting ammunition and an AK-47 rifle for militias and terror groups in collaboration with rogue security operatives.
The court ruled that their actions directly endangered Nigerian troops, jeopardized military operations, and constituted aiding the enemy.
Delivering judgment, Brigadier General Abdullahi condemned the soldiers’ betrayal of trust, discipline, and honor, stressing that the Army maintains zero tolerance for misconduct, corruption, and collaboration with adversaries.
“The activities of these bad eggs are a violation of the law and a stain on the military uniform. Such acts undermine morale, erode discipline, and threaten national security,” he declared.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to accountability, justice, and professionalism, pledging to root out misconduct while fostering trust with the public.
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