Some
soldiers are to face death penalty while others will go to jail for their
alleged links to Boko Haram. The soldiers affected are one lieutenant, one
warrant officer and 16 others. The General Court Martial has been trying them
since July 1 of this year.
Their
offences range from communicating with Boko Haram members, cowardly behaviour,
murder and manslaughter. They were being tried by the Three Armoured Division
as the case fell within its Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A source
from the military said that those soldiers who were sentenced to death actually
deserved the sentence because "for serving soldiers who swore to defend
the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians therein to be found
conniving with the enemies of Nigeria (Boko Haram) is a treasonable offence
which attracts capital punishment.
"The
Boko Haram members do not hide their sinister agenda. They want to destabilise
the country. Everybody knows that. For soldiers to now secretly work with them
at the expense of the country is treasonable. And it is so treated."
The
Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the Division, Col. Texas Chukwu, stated
that he was preparing a formal speech in this regard, and that this might be
made public. The 18 accused soldiers are drawn from the 3rd Armoured Division,
Joint Task Force (JTF), otherwise known as Operation Restore Order from
Maiduguri and Special Task Force (STF) known as Operation Safe Haven, from
Plateau state.
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