A Special Court-Martial of the Nigerian Army has sentenced three soldiers to life imprisonment for arms racketeering and aiding the enemy in Borno State.
The Army said another soldier was handed a 15-year jail term after being found guilty of selling military-grade weapons and ammunition, some of which were concealed in bags of food and smuggled across state lines.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 7 Division, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, the court-martial, convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, convicted Sgt. Rapheal Ameh, Sgt. Ejiga Musa, and LCpl. Patrick Ocheje of multiple offences. Cpl. Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years.
Delivering the judgment at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess, Maiduguri, on September 18, 2025, the Court President, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, said the offences included theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and aiding the enemy — all punishable under the Armed Forces Act (AFA) Cap A20, LFN 2004.
Sani revealed that Ameh, an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, conspired with others to divert ammunition, concealing them in food bags for transport to Enugu and Ebonyi states, where they were sold to criminals. Over 100 bank transactions were traced to him between July 2022 and June 2024.
Similarly, Sgt. Musa, while serving as 195 Battalion’s armourer, stole weapons in collaboration with LCpl. Ocheje and others, collecting over ₦500,000 in illicit deals. Ocheje was also convicted of selling weapons to militias during communal crises, while Rufus sold 40 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a police inspector.
The court held that the soldiers’ actions directly endangered troops, undermined operations, and posed a grave threat to national security.
“The Nigerian Army maintains zero tolerance for misconduct, fraudulent practices, and unprofessional behaviour. Such acts erode discipline and undermine morale,” Sani quoted Brig. Gen. Abdullahi as saying.
He added that the convictions underscored the Army’s commitment to accountability and professionalism.