ARMY COURT-MARTIAL JAILS THREE SOLDIERS FOR LIFE OVER ARMS TRAFFICKING, AIDING ENEMY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A Special Court-Martial of the Nigerian Army has sentenced three soldiers to life imprisonment and another to 15 years in jail for illegal arms trafficking, theft of service property, and aiding the enemy.
The verdict, delivered on September 18, 2025, at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess in Maiduguri, was announced by Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, President of the Special Court-Martial convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu.
Those convicted include Sergeants Rapheal Ameh and Ejiga Musa, as well as Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, all sentenced to life imprisonment, while Corporal Omitoye Rufus received a 15-year jail term.
According to the Army’s Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, the soldiers were found guilty of multiple offences, including unlawful dealing in ammunition, theft, and aiding militias and terrorists with military-grade weapons concealed in food bags.
Documentary evidence revealed that Sgt Rapheal Ameh, an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, conspired with the late LCpl Ogbogo Isaac to steal arms from the armoury. He reportedly worked with officers of the 30 Police Mobile Force, concealing arms in bags of beans smuggled into Enugu and Ebonyi States, receiving illicit payments through over 100 bank transactions between 2022 and 2024.
Similarly, Sgt Ejiga Musa, while serving as the main armourer of 195 Battalion, was found guilty of selling an AK-47 rifle and ammunition in collaboration with LCpl Ocheje and a police officer. He was caught when he attempted to sell ammunition to another police inspector.
Cpl Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition to a police inspector, while LCpl Ocheje was found guilty of stealing an AK-47 rifle and supplying 20 rounds of PKT ammunition to terrorist groups during a communal crisis.
Brigadier General Abdullahi stressed that the illicit activities endangered troops, undermined military operations, and posed a grave threat to national security.
“The activities of these bad egg personnel are not only violations of the law but a betrayal of the trust, discipline, and honour expected of troops in the theatre,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian Army maintains zero tolerance for gross misconduct, stressing its commitment to accountability, professionalism, and justice.
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