Soldier sentenced to death for killing civilians

The General Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State has sentenced a serving soldier identified as Lance Corporal John Godwin to death.

The soldier who is serving at the Operation LAFIYA DOLE was charged with murder for killing five rescued civilians in Yamteke town of Borno State.

The offence, it was learnt, is punishable under Section 106 (a) of Armed Forces Acts (Cap A20), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004,

It was gathered that soldiers were also sentenced to jail for various offences ranging from manslaughter to illegal possession of fire arms and ammunitions.

National Daily gathered that the civilians were earlier rescued by troops of the soldier’s battalion and were taken for investigation before the soldier rudely shot and killed the five of them.

Also sentenced was one Sergeant Innocent Ototo, who bagged life imprisonment for manslaughter after torturing and killing a 13-year-old boy who he said allegedly stole his phone.

The incident happened at Zamanbari area of Maiduguri metropolis in Borno State.

Delivering his judgement, the President of the Court Martial, Brigadier General Gbenga Olusegun Adesina, explained that those sentenced committed offences contrary to Nigerian Army’s Rules of Engagement (ROE) and also against Nigerian Laws and Geneva Conventions which Nigeria is signatory to and which the Nigerian Army as a professional Army holds in high esteem.

However, for Lance Corporal Benjamin Osage and Private Sunday Onwe, they were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each for manslaughter and illegal possession of fire arms and ammunition.

It was learnt that all the convicts would face the appropriate punishment subject to confirmation by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) while those of officers are subject to confirmation by the Army Council.