300 Nigerian Officers, Men on Trial for Mutiny
Yusuf Alli, Abuja
Nigeria Nation
No fewer than 300 military officers and men are on trial for mutiny because they refuse to go into battle against Boko Haram, it was learnt yesterday.
A higly-placed military source said their refusal to fight embarrased the authority after they were provided all the requirments.
He said: “The military has addressed all issues and even provided these officers and men with sophisticated equipment but they refused to fight in some places.
“They had allegedly failed to perform their duties in violation of sections 60, 61 and 62. No matter the situation, the law has to take its course. The military is not being wicked as being insinuated.”
Section 60 says: “(1) A person subject to service law under this Act who-(a) deserts; or (b) persuades or procures any other person subject to service law under this Act to desert, is guilty of desertion and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
(2) A person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) of this section shall only be liable to be imprisoned for not more than two years if-
(a) where the offence is against paragraph (a) of that subsection, he was on active service or under orders for active service at the time when it was committed; or
(b) where the offence is against paragraph (b) of that subsection, the person in relation to whom it was committed was on active service or under orders for active service at that time.
Section 61 deals with “assisting and concealing desertion and absence without leave.”
It reads: “A person subject to service law under this Act who- (a) knowingly assists any other person subject to service law under this Act to desert or absent himself without leave; or (b) knowing that a person subject to service law under this Act has deserted or absented himself without leave, or is attempting to desert or absent himself without leave, fails to report that fact without delay, or fails to take any step in his power to cause that person to be apprehended, is guilty of an offence under this section and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
Section 62 borders on “failure to perform military duties.”
It says: “A person subject to service law under this Act who- (a) without reasonable excuse, fails to attend for a parade or other duty of any description or leaves parade or duty before he is permitted to do so; or (b) neglects to perform, or negligently performs, a duty of any description, is guilty of an offence under this section and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.”
Yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said a suicide bomber was killed at a military checkpoint in Gombe while trying to escape after a failed mission.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the botched suicide mission took place in Bajoga.
The statement said: “A suicide bomber who rammed into a military check point in Bajoga, Gombe State yesterday, failed to achieve his mission.
“His attempt to escape also failed as he was brought down by vigilant soldiers when he tried to flee after hitting a military Armoured Personnel Carrier with his IED laden Honda car.
“The explosives, which failed to detonate, have been evacuated and handed to the police.”
The DHQ also confirmed the arrest of two bomb-making experts in Kano.
“Also in Kano, security forces have raided a terrorists’ hideout in Nasarawa Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of bomb making experts who are already helping in the investigation into activities of bombers lately. Officers believe that the efforts will yield useful clues.
“Troops deployed in all locations of the counter terrorism campaign have been directed to sustain the tempo of operations all through the period of seasonal celebrations and ensure that the intention of terrorists to attack civilian target while avoiding troops is duly frustrated.”
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| Ihejirika (middle) speaking at the briefing ...yesterday. With him are Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (left) and Military Secretary (Army), Maj.-Gen. Ugo Buzugbe. |
Nigeria Nation
No fewer than 300 military officers and men are on trial for mutiny because they refuse to go into battle against Boko Haram, it was learnt yesterday.
A higly-placed military source said their refusal to fight embarrased the authority after they were provided all the requirments.
He said: “The military has addressed all issues and even provided these officers and men with sophisticated equipment but they refused to fight in some places.
“They had allegedly failed to perform their duties in violation of sections 60, 61 and 62. No matter the situation, the law has to take its course. The military is not being wicked as being insinuated.”
Section 60 says: “(1) A person subject to service law under this Act who-(a) deserts; or (b) persuades or procures any other person subject to service law under this Act to desert, is guilty of desertion and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
(2) A person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) of this section shall only be liable to be imprisoned for not more than two years if-
(a) where the offence is against paragraph (a) of that subsection, he was on active service or under orders for active service at the time when it was committed; or
(b) where the offence is against paragraph (b) of that subsection, the person in relation to whom it was committed was on active service or under orders for active service at that time.
Section 61 deals with “assisting and concealing desertion and absence without leave.”
It reads: “A person subject to service law under this Act who- (a) knowingly assists any other person subject to service law under this Act to desert or absent himself without leave; or (b) knowing that a person subject to service law under this Act has deserted or absented himself without leave, or is attempting to desert or absent himself without leave, fails to report that fact without delay, or fails to take any step in his power to cause that person to be apprehended, is guilty of an offence under this section and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
Section 62 borders on “failure to perform military duties.”
It says: “A person subject to service law under this Act who- (a) without reasonable excuse, fails to attend for a parade or other duty of any description or leaves parade or duty before he is permitted to do so; or (b) neglects to perform, or negligently performs, a duty of any description, is guilty of an offence under this section and liable, on conviction by a court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.”
Yesterday, the Defence Headquarters said a suicide bomber was killed at a military checkpoint in Gombe while trying to escape after a failed mission.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the botched suicide mission took place in Bajoga.
The statement said: “A suicide bomber who rammed into a military check point in Bajoga, Gombe State yesterday, failed to achieve his mission.
“His attempt to escape also failed as he was brought down by vigilant soldiers when he tried to flee after hitting a military Armoured Personnel Carrier with his IED laden Honda car.
“The explosives, which failed to detonate, have been evacuated and handed to the police.”
The DHQ also confirmed the arrest of two bomb-making experts in Kano.
“Also in Kano, security forces have raided a terrorists’ hideout in Nasarawa Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of bomb making experts who are already helping in the investigation into activities of bombers lately. Officers believe that the efforts will yield useful clues.
“Troops deployed in all locations of the counter terrorism campaign have been directed to sustain the tempo of operations all through the period of seasonal celebrations and ensure that the intention of terrorists to attack civilian target while avoiding troops is duly frustrated.”
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