BREAKING: Army Court Martial Slams Life Jail on Three Soldiers for Supplying Weapons to Terrorists in Borno

In a thunderous ruling that shook the Nigerian military establishment, a Special Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, has sentenced three soldiers to life imprisonment and another to 15 years behind bars for their roles in a high-stakes arms trafficking syndicate that diverted weapons to criminals and terror-linked groups.

The historic judgment was delivered on September 18, 2025, at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess, Maiduguri, under the watch of Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, who presided over the tribunal convened by Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander, Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu.

The convicted soldiers — Sergeant Raphael Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje — were handed life sentences, while Corporal Omitoye Rufus received a 15-year term. They were found guilty of theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and aiding the enemy — grave offences under the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 LFN 2004.

A Dark Web of Betrayal

Court documents revealed chilling details of how the soldiers betrayed their oath of loyalty:

Sgt. Ameh, an armourer with 7 Division Garrison, conspired with the late Lance Corporal Ogbogo Isaac and Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives to siphon ammunition from the armoury. The weapons, often concealed in bags of beans, were trafficked to Enugu and Ebonyi States. Investigators traced more than 100 suspicious bank transactions to him between July 2022 and June 2024.

Sgt. Ejiga, armourer of 195 Battalion, in cahoots with LCpl. Ocheje and Inspector Francis Manasseh of 30 PMF, sold an AK-47 rifle and large caches of ammunition. His downfall came when he attempted to sell arms to another PMF operative.

Cpl. Omitoye was nailed for selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to Inspector Enoch Nwokolobia.

LCpl. Ocheje, deployed at Forward Operating Base Molai, was found guilty of repeatedly pilfering ammunition for militias engaged in communal clashes and was further indicted for stealing a fellow soldier’s rifle.


“A Grave Betrayal of Trust”

Condemning their actions in stern terms, Brig. Gen. Abdullahi declared:

> “This is a grave betrayal of trust and discipline, a direct threat to national security, and an act of aiding the enemy. The Nigerian Army will never tolerate such criminality.”



He stressed that the actions of the convicted soldiers undermined morale, endangered their colleagues, and stained the reputation of the Army.

Army Reaffirms Zero Tolerance

Reiterating the institution’s stance, the Nigerian Army vowed to crush any trace of internal sabotage.

> “The Army remains committed to accountability, professionalism, and justice. Misconduct will be met with stiff sanctions, while gallantry and loyalty will always be rewarded,” the tribunal warned.

The convictions underscore the Army’s resolve to purge its ranks of rogue elements and reinforce public trust amid ongoing battles against insurgency and banditry.