The Special Court Martial (SCM) convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, has convicted four soldiers for arms and ammunition racketeering, theft, and aiding the enemy.
Delivering judgment at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess, Maiduguri, the Court President, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, sentenced Sgt Rapheal Ameh, Sgt Ejiga Musa, and LCpl Patrick Ocheje to life imprisonment, while Cpl Omitoye Rufus received a 15-year jail term.
The soldiers were found guilty of offences including theft, unlawful arms dealing, illegal possession of service property, and aiding terrorists — all punishable under the Armed Forces Act (AFA), CAP A20, LFN 2004.
Investigations revealed that Sgt Ameh, an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, conspired with late LCpl Ogbogo Isaac to divert ammunition, which he concealed in bags of beans and smuggled to Enugu and Ebonyi States through collaborators in the Police Mobile Force (PMF). Records showed he conducted over 100 illicit bank transactions between July 2022 and June 2024.
Similarly, Sgt Musa and LCpl Ocheje were convicted for colluding with PMF operatives to sell rifles and ammunition to criminals and militias, while Cpl Rufus admitted to selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Brigadier General Abdullahi, in his remarks, condemned the soldiers’ actions as a grave betrayal of trust and discipline, stressing that such conduct undermines morale, endangers troops, and threatens national security.
“The Nigerian Army maintains zero tolerance for gross misconduct, fraudulent practices, and unprofessional acts. Such actions erode discipline and bring the service into disrepute,” he warned.
📩 Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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