12 Convicted Soldiers Deserve To Die

Some retired senior military officers have backed the death sentence passed on 12 soldiers of the Nigerian Army for committing mutiny.

The officers told SUNDAY PUNCH that it was necessary for the military to maintain its age-long rules on discipline.

The soldiers were court-martialled for a variety of offences, including firing shots at the General Officer Commanding, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Mohammed, in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The military court, which convicted the soldiers in Abuja, found 13 out of the 18 soldiers guilty of mutiny, criminal conspiracy, attempted murder (shooting at the vehicle of the GOC); insubordination and false accusation.

Twelve of the convicted soldiers were sentenced to death, five were discharged and acquitted, while the remaining one was jailed for 28 days with hard labour.

Those sentenced to death were Jasper Braidolor, David Musa, Friday Onuh, Yusuf Shuaibu, Igonmu Emmanuel, Andrew Ugbede, Nurudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukagba, Alao Samuel, Amadi Chukwuma, Alan Linus, and Stephen Clement.

In the aftermath of the conviction, some prominent Nigerians and pressure groups have urged the military not to carry out the sentences.

But the retired senior military officers who spoke to our correspondents hailed the judgment and said it would have to be carried out.

“The Army followed standard military procedures, set up a court that is recognised by the laws of the country and carried out the trial in line with the procedures of the military.

“But why are people even jumping the gun. The judgment is still awaiting confirmation by the Chief of Army Staff.”