Military Court Sends Serving Soldier To Serve 7 Years In Jail After Shooting Civilian In Maiduguri

The General Court Martial (GCM) of 7 Division sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State has sentenced a serving soldier to (7) years imprisonment for manslaughter. He was charged for shooting and killing one Mr. Umar Alkali at a popular Monday Market in Maiduguri metropolis on the  23rd of December 2015. The soldier (name withheld) was found guilty of manslaughter punishable under Section (105) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

A statement by Director Army Public Relations ,Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said  the soldier’s plea that he acted in self defence, that the deceased assaulted and tried to wrest his rifle from him before he shot and killed him to save his life and that of his compatriots was set aside on the ground of use of disproportionate force. He was initially charged with murder but the GCM upheld the charge of manslaughter. The President of the Court,  Brigadier General Olusegun Adeniyi while delivering the verdict called on officers and soldiers alike to always maintain a high level of discipline, respect for human rights and strict adherence to rules of engagement and other laws guiding their conducts.