The Nigerian Army, on Wednesday, said not fewer than 579 of its officers and soldiers are facing court martial over various offences before the General Court Martial sitting in Lagos and Abuja.
The army authorities also explained that the Army Council has not sit to confirm or reverse the death sentence passed last year on 66 solders convicted for mutiny by a General Court Martial, GCM, which makes it difficult for the victims to appeal the verdict.
Addressing journalists, the acting Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Colonel Sani Usman, said, ” there are currently two separate court martial going on in the Army Headquarters Garrison and 81 Division Nigerian Army with a view. To ensuring quick dispensation of justice, discipline and professionalism.”
Usman further said that 473 of the soldiers were facing the court Martial in Army Headquarters, AHQ Garrison, while 106 soldiers were standing trial in 81 Division, Lagos state.
The soldiers were alleged to be facing trials over offences ranging from insubordination to disobedience, acts of cowardice, refusal to carryout military duties, indiscipline amongst others.
According to him, it was a common practice in the military that anyone, who runs foul of the law and the authorities felt that he could not be summarily dismissed, must go to the court martial.
Considering that the court martial was also depleting the number of personnel prosecuting the war, Usman said the Army was already adding to the personnel strength of the force in the North East.
However, Col Sani said, not all the court-martialled officers were guilty of mutiny but “unprecedented number of them were on trial.”
He said 481 personnel of the armed Forces Special Forces, which comprised personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the police, have completed their training and inducted into the theatre of operations within 7 Division area of responsibility.
Similarly, he said one additional battalion, 151 Battalion, has also completed its training and inducted into the theatre, while two battalions, 152 and 153 Battalions are currently undergoing training and would be inducted on completion.
“Additionally, Army Headquarters Task Force Group is currently in the last phase of their training while Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi, has intensified training of Tank Crew personnel. Moreover, personnel training on Improvised Explosive Devices, (IEDs) in the United Kingdom and United States is ongoing”, Usman said.
He also disclosed that 2, 388 members of 72 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna state, would pass out on Friday May 22, which would also boost the personnel strength of the Army. Courtesy: Leadership.