December 17, 2014 – At least 54 soldiers were today sentenced to death by firing squad by military authority in Nigeria.
The soldiers were court-marshalled after they were accused of mutiny, assault and cowardice and for refusing to fight members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Their sentence is however subject to confirmation by the military authority.
In May 14, some of the soldiers from 101 Battalion court marshaled and sentenced to death for allegedly opening fire on a convoy conveying the 7 Division Commander, General Amadu Mohammed, at an army medical centre in Maiduguri.
In handing down the judgment in that case, Brigadier-General Okonkwo said, “the soldiers succeeded in shooting at his staff car, thereby causing bullet impressions at the right rear door where the GOC sat.”
The soldiers however accused the GOC of killing members by forcing them to travel on a route were members of the sect ambushed and killed their colleagues.
