Three Nigerian soldiers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in arms and ammunition racketeering that endangered troops and aided criminal activities in Borno State.
The sentence was handed down by a Special Court-Martial convened by the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri after the soldiers were found guilty of multiple offences bordering on theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and aiding the enemy.
The convicts are Sergeant Rapheal Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, while Corporal Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Lt. Col. Haruna Mohammed Sani, confirmed the development in a statement, saying the illegal trade of weapons and ammunition by the convicted soldiers posed serious threats to troops and national security.
“The Special Court-Martial found the soldiers guilty of offences that directly endangered the lives of their colleagues and jeopardised ongoing military operations,” Lt. Col. Sani stated.
The statement explained that Sgt. Ameh, who worked as an armourer with the 7 Division Garrison, conspired with others to steal ammunition from the Division’s armory. He reportedly collaborated with two members of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (PMF) to smuggle weapons hidden in bags of beans to Enugu and Ebonyi States.
“Investigations revealed that Sgt. Ameh received over 100 bank transactions between July 2022 and June 2024 as payment for his illicit activities,” the statement added.
Similarly, Sgt. Ejiga Musa, also an armourer attached to the 195 Battalion, was found guilty of stealing and selling an AK-47 rifle and large quantities of ammunition with the assistance of Lance Corporal Ocheje and a PMF Inspector. He reportedly earned over N500,000 from the illegal sales before his scheme was uncovered.
Lance Corporal Ocheje was convicted of aiding the sale of weapons and stealing a fellow soldier’s rifle, while Corporal Rufus Omitoye received a 15-year jail term for his involvement in the illegal deal.
The Army authorities said the sentencing underscored the military’s zero-tolerance stance on acts capable of undermining its integrity and national security.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring discipline and accountability among its personnel. Those found guilty of compromising national security will face the full weight of military justice,” Lt. Col. Sani said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Anambra State Police Command arrested a 38-year-old soldier, Samuel Ekezie, for allegedly faking his own kidnap to extort N20 million from his family.
Command spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspect was arrested in Rivers State after a tip-off and that preliminary investigation showed he sent messages to his relatives demanding ransom for his “release.”
“The suspect confessed to faking his abduction with the intention of collecting N20 million from his family,” Ikenga said, adding that the police had launched further investigation to uncover possible accomplices.
