Insecurity: Nigerian Army to court martial 17 soldiers who erred in peace operations

The 3 Armored Division of the Nigerian
Army is to Court Martial seventeen soldiers
under the JTF (Operation Restore Order)
and STF (Operation Safe Haven), who were
said to have been duly investigated by the
Military Police for various offences.
This was disclosed on Monday, by the
General Officer Commanding 3 Armored
Division of the Nigerian Army, Major
General Ebiobowei Awala, during the
Inauguration of a General Court Martial,
held at the 3 Division, Rhino Officers Mess,
Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.

According to him, “These offences include
communication with the enemy, cowardly
behavior, murder and manslaughter,
among others.
Adding that, “The General Court Martial is
one of those instruments conferred on me
by virtue of the Armed Forces Act Chapter A
20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to
address problems like this.

He decried that, it was with heavy heart
that he decided to convene the General
Court Martial, barely four months after he
assumed duty as GOC
of the division.
Explaining that, “I must state that if the
Division is witnessing this Court Martial, it
is because I want to sustain high level of
professionalism required to confront the
mounting security challenges in the
Division Area of responsibility.

Stressing that, “I therefore enjoin
all parties to this Court Martial to
discharge their duties
expeditiously and with a degree of
commitment that will ensure the accused
persons know their fate in good time. To
be effective however, the legal system must
be fair and just.
He maintained that, “Discipline is the
foundation on which the military career
rests. As a matter of fact, discipline and
loyalty are two essential requirements no
officer or soldier who want to succeed in
professional soldiering can afford to lack.

Awala added, “Punishment is among the
means available for maintenance of
discipline in the Nigeria Army. As such, the
kind of punishment should be adequate
enough to achieve its purpose and serve as
deterrence to others.
The GOC urge them to give due
consideration to first-time offenders and
those who plead guilty, “While bearing in
mind the gravity of the offence. Justice
must be seen to be done”.

“Let me urge the President and members of
this Court to uphold the tenets of fairness
and impartiality in the proceedings of the
court and the dispensation of justice”.

The three states under emergency rule are
all under the 3 Armored Division.