Terrorism: Four soldiers jailed for life over arms deal, conspiracy

A Special Court Martial sitting in Maiduguri has convicted four Nigerian Army personnel for illegal arms dealings and aiding adversaries in the North-East.

The court, convened by the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Brig.-Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, delivered judgment on September 18, 2025, at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess.

Reading the verdict, President of the Court, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, announced that Sergeants Rapheal Ameh and Ejiga Musa, alongside Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Corporal Omitoye Rufus was handed a 15-year jail term.

The soldiers were found guilty of offences including theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and aiding the enemy, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20, LFN 2004.

Investigations revealed that Sgt. Ameh, while serving as an armourer, conspired with accomplices to divert ammunition, concealing them in bags of beans to Enugu and Ebonyi States.

Bank records showed over 100 suspicious transactions linked to the racket between July 2022 and June 2024.

Similarly, Sgt. Musa collaborated with Ocheje and a Police Mobile Force officer to sell an AK-47 rifle and ammunition worth more than N500,000.

Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, while Ocheje was also found guilty of supplying weapons to militias during communal clashes and stealing a colleague’s rifle.

The court ruled that their actions endangered troops, sabotaged operations, and amounted to treasonous conduct. Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi condemned their betrayal, stressing the Army’s zero tolerance for misconduct.

He reaffirmed that any soldier caught selling weapons or aiding enemies would face the full weight of military justice.