A military tribunal operating in Maiduguri has handed down life sentences to three serving soldiers convicted of engaging in the unlawful trade of weaponry. The court found the service members guilty of charges related to the diversion and sale of official arms and ammunition, a serious breach of military conduct.
The proceedings revealed that the convicted individuals, whose identities were confirmed as active personnel within the Nigerian Army, operated a scheme for the illicit sale of military-issued equipment. This criminal enterprise involved weapons that were intended for official defence purposes, compromising security protocols.
The judgement was delivered following a comprehensive legal process conducted by the specially convened court martial. Authorities have emphasised that the severe penalty reflects the gravity of the offence, which strikes at the heart of national security, especially in a region like Borno that has been grappling with protracted insurgent activities.
A military legal representative stated that the outcome sends an unequivocal message about the consequences of corruption and illegal arms dealings within the armed forces. The ruling is seen as a pivotal step in ongoing initiatives to enforce accountability and eradicate misconduct among security personnel, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s military institutions.
