A Nigerian Army special court-martial has sentenced three soldiers to life in prison and a fourth to 15 years for their involvement in a major arms and ammunition racketeering operation in Maiduguri. The verdicts were handed down on September 18, 2025, following a comprehensive investigation.
The soldiers, identified as Sgt. Raphael Ameh, Sgt. Ejiga Musa, and Lance Corporal Patrick Ocheje, received life sentences. Corporal Omitoye Rufus was sentenced to 15 years in prison. All four pleaded guilty to charges including theft, unlawful dealing in ammunition, and aiding the enemy, all of which are punishable under the Armed Forces Act.
According to the court-martial, the illicit scheme involved pilfering ammunition from army stores and smuggling it to Enugu and Ebonyi states for criminal use. The investigation revealed that Sgt. Ameh, an armorer with the 7th Division Garrison, conspired with others to conceal arms in bags of beans. He was found to have received proceeds from the illegal trade through over 100 bank transactions between July 2022 and June 2024.
Sgt. Musa, an armorer for the 195th Battalion, was convicted for stealing and selling an AK-47 rifle and a large quantity of ammunition. He was caught after attempting to sell more ammunition to an inspector from the 30th Police Mobile Force.
The court also found Lance Corporal Ocheje guilty of pilfering ammunition for sale to militias and selling ammunition to terrorist groups. Corporal Rufus was convicted for selling 40 rounds of ammunition.
The court president, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi, stated that such illicit trade directly endangers troops and national security, amounting to a betrayal of trust and discipline.
“The activities of these bad eggs are not only a violation of the law but a betrayal of the trust, discipline, and honor expected of troops in the theater,” General Abdullahi said.
The Nigerian Army maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such gross misconduct and has reiterated its commitment to accountability and justice. The verdict is seen as a strong message against corruption within the military ranks.
