Jos — Eighteen soldiers serving in
military task forces in Borno and Plateau states are to be tried by
court-martial for various offences in the course of their duties.
Convening a General Court Martial to
try them yesterday, General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division of Nigerian
Army, Major-General Eboibowei Awala said one officer and 17 soldiers of the
division would be tried for various acts of indiscipline.
He said the acts were committed
while they were serving with the Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, in
Borno State, and the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, in Plateau
State.
He said the offences committed by
the accused, which had been investigated by the military police, included
murder, manslaughter, cowardly behaviour and communication with the enemy,
among others.
Awala said: “Discipline and loyalty
are two essential requirements no officer or soldier, who wants to succeed in
professional soldiering, can afford to lack.
GOC on discipline
“It is the duty of a superior to
observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the
part of subordinates.”
Awala said the General Court-Martial
as prescribed by the Armed Forces Act is geared towards disciplining erring
soldiers to forestall future occurrence.
He added that only a disciplined
force can continue to play its constitutional role and remain a pride of the
nation.
He said the trial was convened to
sustain high level of professionalism required to confront the mounting
security challenges in the division’s area of responsibility.
Awala urged the panel to carry out
the trial expeditiously and ensure that justice is seen to be done.
Source: Punch
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