The Special Court Martial convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding, 7 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, has handed down life sentences to two Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and two Non-Commissioned Officers for arms and ammunition racketeering, as well as aiding and abetting the enemy.
During proceedings at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess in Maiduguri, the President of the SCM, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, announced the convictions. Sgt Raphael Ameh, Sgt Ejiga Musa, and LCpl Patrick Ocheje were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Cpl Omitoye Rufus received 15 years behind bars.
The accused had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, offenses concerning service property, and aiding the enemy, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act and other relevant sections of the Law of the Federation of Nigeria CAP A20 2004.
Evidence presented against Sgt Ameh Raphael revealed that, as an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, he conspired with the late LCpl Ogbogo Isaac to steal ammunition from the Division arms store.
Further investigations showed he worked with Inspector Francis Ajayi and Francis Manasseh of the 30 Police Mobile Force to hide arms in bags of beans and smuggle them to Enugu and Ebonyi states for criminal use. Sgt Ameh also received the proceeds from over 100 bank transactions between July 2022 and June 2024.
Sgt Ejiga Musa, while serving as the main armourer at 195 Battalion, was found to have stolen and sold AK-47 rifles and large quantities of ammunition in collaboration with LCpl Patrick Ocheje and Inspector Francis Manasseh.
Records showed he collected over ₦500,000. His illegal dealings came to light when he attempted to sell ammunition to Inspector Francis Ajayi of 30 PMF.
Cpl Omitoye Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition to Inspector Enoch Nwokolobia. LCpl Patrick Ocheje, deployed at Forward Operating Base Molai, was persuaded by Inspector Francis Manasseh to steal ammunition for sale to militias during communal crises.
He also received 20 rounds of PKT ammunition from Sgt Ejiga Musa for resale to terrorist groups in collaboration with Inspector Ajayi and was found guilty of stealing an AK-47 belonging to a comrade.
The court emphasized that such illicit activities directly endanger troops, jeopardize military operations, and threaten national security, ultimately amounting to aiding the enemy.
“The activities of these bad eggs personnel are not only a violation of the law but a betrayal of the trust, discipline and honour expected of troops in the theatre,” Brigadier General Abdullahi stated.
He added, “The Nigerian Army (NA) maintains zero tolerance for gross misconduct, fraudulent practices and unprofessional practices. Such acts erode discipline, undermine morale and bring the service into disrepute.”
Highlighting the Army’s commitment to justice, Brigadier General Abdullahi noted that investigations into alleged misconduct and the enforcement of accountability serve to foster professionalism and strengthen public trust.
He reiterated, “The NA’s posture on zero tolerance for selling of ammunition to adversary or anybody in whatever guise or form” remains unwavering.
