A special court-martial of the Nigerian Army has sentenced 3 soldiers to life imprisonment for the illegal sale of arms, which was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the 7 Division’s Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, stating that one other soldier was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The statement reads, “The Special Court Martial (SCM) convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu has slammed 2 Senior Non-commissioned Officers and 2 Non-commissioned Officers for arms/ammunition racketeering as well as aiding and abetting the enemy.
“Pronouncing the verdict during the proceeding at Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess in Maiduguri, on 18 September 2025, the President SCM Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi stated that, the Court-Martial convicted Sergeant Rapheal Ameh, Sergeant Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje to life imprisonments while Corporal Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to several counts charges ranging from theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, offence in relation to Service Property as well as aiding the enemy which are all punishable under the relevant sections of the Armed Forces Act (AFA) Law of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) CAP A20 2004 and other extant laws.”
According to the statement, Sergeant Ameh, who served as an armorer at the 7 Division Garrison, collaborated with a deceased colleague, Lance Corporal Ogbogo Isaac, to steal ammunition from the division’s armory and also worked with one Inspector Francis Ajayi and Francis Manasseh of the 30 Police Mobile Force (PMF) to hide weapons in bags of foodstuff, which were then smuggled to Enugu and Ebonyi for criminals to purchase; over 100 suspicious transactions linked to Ameh were recorded between July 2022 and June 2024.
Regarding the soldier that was sentenced to 15 years in prison, the statement said that “Corporal Omitoye Rufus was also convicted for selling 40 rounds of 7.62 mm special to one Inspector Enoch Nwokolobia.
“In the case of Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, while deployed at Forward Operating Base Molai also got persuaded by Inspector Francis Manasseh to pilfer ammunition to be sold to militias during the communal crisis.
“Investigation further revealed that Lance Corporal Patrick received 20 rounds of PKT ammunition from Sergeant Ejiga Musa of 195 Battalion for sale to terrorist groups in collaboration with Inspector Francis Ajayi.
“The soldier was also found guilty of stealing an AK-47 rifle belonging to his comrade.”
The statement also noted that “The Court President Brigadier General Abdullahi asserted that the activities of these bad egg personnel are not only a violation of the law but a betrayal of the trust, discipline, and honor expected of troops in the theater.”
Sani said the Nigerian Army does not tolerate gross misconduct and unprofessional practices that can erode discipline and also disgrace the service.
He stated, “The NA’s commitment to accountability and justice is evident in its investigations into alleged misconduct and its efforts to promote a culture of professionalism through reward and punishment while fostering better relationships with the public.
“The President also reiterated the NA’s posture on zero tolerance for the selling of ammunition to adversaries or anybody in whatever guise or form.”