Army Officer, 17 Soldiers Arraigned for Communicating with the Enemy, Other Offences

A lieutenant in the Nigerian Army, one Warrant Officer and 16 soldiers were yesterday arraigned before a General Court Martial for offences ranging from communicating with the enemy, cowardly behaviour, murder and manslaughter, among other offences. They were being tried by the 3 Armoured Division in line with its operational responsibility.

At the inauguration of the court, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Major-General Ebiobowei Bonna Awala, remarked that the accused soldiers facing the court martial from the 3 Armoured Division, Joint Task Force (JTF), Maiduguri and Special Task Force (STF), Plateau State, had been duly investigated for the various offences they were alleged to have committed.

Awala said the court martial was one of those instruments conferred on him by virtue of the Armed Forces Act Chapter A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to address problems of this nature. He said discipline was the fulcrum upon which the military career rests, adding that

discipline and loyalty were two essential requirements no officer or soldier who wants to succeed in professional soldiering can afford to lack.

“It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates. When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures must be taken by commanders to forestall future occurrences. This way, the Nigerian Army can continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its accolade as the pride of the nation.