Nigerian Army court Martial soldier to death for killing a tricycle rider

From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos

A Nigerian Army General Court Martial sitting in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Three Division Rukuba, Plateau state on Thursday sentenced Lukman Musa, a private to death by hanging for the murder of Abdulrahman Isah a commercial tricycle rider, in Bauchi State.

Presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello,
the court found the soldier guilty on a two-count charge of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The verdict followed a full trial in accordance with law 47 of the Armed Forces Rules of Procedure, 1972.

The court heard how Musa, in connivance with one Uba, lured the victim to his apartment at the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare under the pretext of needing help to move his belongings. Once inside, the soldier struck the victim with a wooden object and killed him.

According to the court, the body was concealed in a sack purchased earlier by Musa and was transported in the deceased tricycle. The corpse was later dumped in a village, kilometers away while the tricycle was sold off.

Delivering the judgement, Bello described the soldier’s actions as “heinous, deliberate, and premeditated,” stressing that such conduct is a betrayal of the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, integrity, and protection of civilians.

The court sentenced Musa to death by hanging for culpable homicide and two years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition. He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy, subject to confirmation of the sentence by the appropriate military authority.

On the second count, the court found Musa guilty of unlawful possession of ammunition after he failed to account for four missing rounds from his service rifle. A subsequent search of his house uncovered additional ammunition hidden in a bag.

Speaking to Journalists after the Judgement, Aminu Mairuwa, a major and Acting Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division said the ruling reflects the Nigerian Army’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and criminal conduct. “This is a clear demonstration that no personnel is above the law. The Army remains committed to justice, order, and professionalism,” he told journalists.

Stepbrother of the deceased Jamilu Aliyu expressed gratitude to
mojor General Folusho Oyinlola Officer Commanding three division and the Nigerian Army for delivering justice.

While speaking to journalists after the pronouncement of the judgement, he said “This verdict has brought peace to our family”