Military authorities have arraigned 25 officers and 92 soldiers in Jos, Plateau State, over offences committed during counter-insurgency operations in the Northeastern part of the country.

The soldiers brought from 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri Borno State, are being court-martialed on the authority of General Officer Commanding the 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna.

Investigations revealed that the soldiers charged in Kaduna were moved to Jos on account of ‘security concerns’ where their trial is shrouded in secrecy. The trial will is to resume on Wednesday at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos, after the sallah holiday.

Military authorities have arraigned 25 officers and 92 soldiers in Jos, Plateau State, over offences committed during counter-insurgency operations in the Northeastern part of the country.

The soldiers brought from 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri Borno State, are being court-martialed on the authority of General Officer Commanding the 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna.

Investigations revealed that the soldiers charged in Kaduna were moved to Jos on account of ‘security concerns’ where their trial is shrouded in secrecy. The trial will is to resume on Wednesday at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos, after the sallah holiday.

A total of 25 officers are among the 117 military personnel on trial in the General Court Marshal (GMC) presided over by Colonel J. J. Ogunlade, documents available to Weekly Trust indicate. The 25 officers include two Lt Cols, one Major, eight Captains, 13 Lieutenants and one Second Lieutenant.

However, it was learnt that some of the Lieutenants facing trial were not charged on combat related offences, but for examination malpractices. The others were charged for offences ranging from negligent performance of duty, miscellaneous offences relating to property and offences in relation to service property.

A source familiar with the court martial, who does not want his name in print, told journalists that some of the cases have been decided and the accused persons sentenced for up to two years in prison. He hinted that nine accused persons jointly tried for the attack on a military formation in Izzghe-nnore were each sentenced to two years in prison for negligent performance of duty.

On trial in Jos, are soldiers that were on ground in Chibok on the day of the abduction of over 200 school girls, the attack on Giwa Barracks, and the military withdrawal at Buni Yadi, among others

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25 Officers, 92 Soldiers in ‘Secret’ Court Martial in Jos