In a major crackdown on internal sabotage, a Special Court-Martial of the Nigerian Army has sentenced four soldiers for their involvement in arms trafficking and aiding terrorist groups, including Boko Haram.
The trial, held at the Theatre Command Officers’ Mess in Maiduguri, was presided over by Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi and convened by Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
The court found the soldiers guilty of offences ranging from theft and illegal arms dealing to aiding the enemy, all punishable under the Armed Forces Act (CAP A20, LFN 2004).
Sgt. Raphael Ameh, Sgt. Ejiga Musa and LCpl. Patrick Ocheje were each sentenced to life imprisonment while Cpl. Omitoye Rufus received a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges.
Sgt. Raphael Ameh
As the armourer of 7 Division Garrison, Ameh conspired with the late LCpl. Ogbogo Isaac to steal ammunition from the Division’s armoury.
He worked with Inspector Francis Ajayi and Francis Manasseh of the 30 Police Mobile Force (PMF) to smuggle weapons hidden in bags of beans to criminal groups in Enugu and Ebonyi States.
Financial records showed over 100 illicit bank transactions between July 2022 and June 2024, linking him to the proceeds of arms trafficking.
Sgt. Ejiga Musa
While serving as the main armourer of the 195 Battalion, Musa was found guilty of stealing and selling weapons in collusion with LCpl. Ocheje and Inspector Manasseh.
He sold an AK-47 rifle and large quantities of ammunition, reportedly earning over ₦500,000. His crimes came to light after a failed attempt to sell ammunition to Inspector Ajayi.
Cpl. Omitoye Rufus
Rufus was convicted for illegally selling 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition to Inspector Enoch Nwokolobia.
LCpl. Patrick Ocheje
Deployed at Forward Operating Base Molai, Ocheje diverted ammunition for sale during communal clashes, acting under the influence of Inspector Manasseh.
Investigators also uncovered that he received 20 rounds of PKT ammunition from Sgt. Musa and was involved in selling arms to terrorist groups.
He was further found guilty of stealing an AK-47 from a fellow soldier.
The court held that their actions directly endangered troops, compromised military operations, and posed a grave threat to national security, amounting to aiding the enemy.
Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi condemned the soldiers’ conduct, calling them “bad eggs” who betrayed the Nigerian Army’s trust and core values.
“Their actions were not just criminal but a disgrace to the uniform they wore. The Army will never tolerate any form of collusion with enemies of the state,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Army’s zero-tolerance policy for internal sabotage, warning that anyone found aiding insurgents in any way would face the full weight of military justice.
