In a harrowing case that has shocked the Nigerian military community, a General Court Martial of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday sentenced Aircraftman Bernard Kalu to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his romantic partner and colleague, Corporal Oladipupo S.A.
The chilling crime unfolded at the Corporal and Below Quarters, Compound 9, Air Force Base, Makurdi, Benue State. In the early hours of a Sunday morning, 21-year-old Kalu, driven by a fit of jealous rage, forcibly entered Corporal Oladipupo’s residence. Suspecting her of infidelity, he shot her at close range in the neck, killing her instantly.
In a further descent into violence, Kalu attempted to murder another man found in the apartment. However, his rifle jammed, providing the unidentified man a narrow window to overpower and disarm the enraged airman, preventing an even greater tragedy.
The Court Martial, presided over by Group Captain Elisha Bindul and advised by Judge Advocate Flight Lieutenant M.A. Umoh, brought eight grievous charges against Kalu. These included murder, attempted murder, housebreaking, disobedience of standing orders, loss of service property, failure to perform military duty, and conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline.
Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, the prosecution built a compelling case with testimony from 13 witnesses. In contrast, the defence, which included three witnesses—among them the accused—argued that the evidence failed to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They also pleaded for leniency, citing Kalu’s clean record, youth, and role as the sole breadwinner of his family.
Nevertheless, the court found him guilty on six of the eight charges. Delivering a grave verdict, Group Captain Bindul announced Kalu’s sentence—death by hanging—pending confirmation by the appropriate military authorities.
The tragic incident has stirred strong emotions within the military and civilian spheres alike, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked emotional instability and the importance of discipline and restraint among armed personnel. As the NAF grapples with this grim chapter, questions loom about the psychological support systems available to its rank and file—and how such a catastrophe could have been prevented.
PIONEER NEWS 