By Joy Baba with agency report
Indications emerged yesterday that about 118 military personnel are to face court martial.
It was learnt that the Nigerian military is set to court martial at least 100 more soldiers for a series of offences related to its fight against the terror group, Boko Haram.
Officials said 118 soldiers have been transported from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to face charges in Abuja, a week after 54 soldiers were sentenced to death for refusing to fight Boko Haram.
It is not clear when the troops will be arraigned before a Military Court, but sources said unlike their colleagues who were convicted last Wednesday, the soldiers awaiting trial are not accused of mutiny.
Army spokesperson, Olajide Laleye, said he was unaware of the development, according to PREMIUM TIMES.
The soldiers it was gathered are accused of relatively minor charges including loss or misplacement of rifles during operations against Boko Haram.
The allegations follow repeated reports of troops fleeing Boko Haram fighters and abandoning their weapons for the militants in the Borno and Adamawa States.
The military trials are seen as an attempt to instil discipline in a force that has struggled to contain the rampaging insurgents.
Meanwhile, an army commander, who wrote a comprehensive letter to President Goodluck Jonathan exposing the rot and high level corruption militating against a successful campaign against Boko Haram insurgents, is now under threat.
Lieutenant Colonel A. Wende of the 103 Battalion, who is currently serving in “Operation Zamani Lafiya” in Konduga, wrote the letter detailing the challenges confronting the army in trying to crush Boko Haram, including within the army leadership.
Sahara Reporters reports that the army authorities have threatened to court-martial Lt. Col Wende if he does not openly denounce the letter. On grounds of principle, the officer has so far refused to renounce the letter.
In the letter, the army commander made several damning allegations against his superiors including pinpointing how the General Officer commanding the 7th Battalion in Maiduguri was diverting over 600 bags of rice meant for the troops.
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