The Nigerian Army has sentenced four of its personnel to prison over involvement in arms racketeering and aiding enemies of the state.

A Special Court Martial (SCM) sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, delivered the judgment on September 18, 2025. The tribunal was convened by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI.

Presiding over the case, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi revealed that the soldiers were found guilty of several offences ranging from theft of arms, illegal sales of ammunition, unlawful dealing in service property, and aiding the enemy—all punishable under the Armed Forces Act and related laws.

Those convicted include Sgt Rapheal Ameh, Sgt Ejiga Musa, and LCpl Patrick Ocheje, who were each handed life imprisonment, while Cpl Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

How the illicit trade worked

Sgt Ameh, who worked as an armourer, conspired with accomplices to steal ammunition and transport them hidden in bags of beans to Enugu and Ebonyi States for use by criminals. Evidence showed he received proceeds from over 100 bank transactions between 2022 and 2024.

Sgt Ejiga, also an armourer, stole weapons including an AK-47 rifle and sold them in collaboration with colleagues. He was caught while trying to sell ammunition to a police inspector.

LCpl Ocheje was found guilty of selling ammunition to militias during communal crises and for stealing a fellow soldier’s rifle.

Cpl Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of ammunition to a police inspector.

The court held that such illicit activities not only endanger troops on the battlefield but also undermine military operations and national security, amounting to aiding the enemy.

Army vows zero tolerance

Brigadier General Abdullahi stressed that the actions of the convicted soldiers were a “betrayal of trust, discipline, and honour” expected of personnel serving in the war theatre.

The Army reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, emphasizing that accountability remains a priority. “Such acts erode discipline, undermine morale, and bring the service into disrepute,” the court president declared.

The Army further assured Nigerians of its commitment to uphold professionalism by punishing offenders while rewarding integrity, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding national security.The Nigerian Army has sentenced four of its personnel to prison over involvement in arms racketeering and aiding enemies of the state.

A Special Court Martial (SCM) sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, delivered the judgment on September 18, 2025. The tribunal was convened by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI.

Presiding over the case, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi revealed that the soldiers were found guilty of several offences ranging from theft of arms, illegal sales of ammunition, unlawful dealing in service property, and aiding the enemy—all punishable under the Armed Forces Act and related laws.

Those convicted include Sgt Rapheal Ameh, Sgt Ejiga Musa, and LCpl Patrick Ocheje, who were each handed life imprisonment, while Cpl Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

How the illicit trade worked

Sgt Ameh, who worked as an armourer, conspired with accomplices to steal ammunition and transport them hidden in bags of beans to Enugu and Ebonyi States for use by criminals. Evidence showed he received proceeds from over 100 bank transactions between 2022 and 2024.

Sgt Ejiga, also an armourer, stole weapons including an AK-47 rifle and sold them in collaboration with colleagues. He was caught while trying to sell ammunition to a police inspector.

LCpl Ocheje was found guilty of selling ammunition to militias during communal crises and for stealing a fellow soldier’s rifle.

Cpl Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of ammunition to a police inspector.

The court held that such illicit activities not only endanger troops on the battlefield but also undermine military operations and national security, amounting to aiding the enemy.

Army vows zero tolerance

Brigadier General Abdullahi stressed that the actions of the convicted soldiers were a “betrayal of trust, discipline, and honour” expected of personnel serving in the war theatre.

The Army reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, emphasizing that accountability remains a priority. “Such acts erode discipline, undermine morale, and bring the service into disrepute,” the court president declared.

The Army further assured Nigerians of its commitment to uphold professionalism by punishing offenders while rewarding integrity, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding national security.