A Nigerian Army Court Martial sitting in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, 3 Division Rukuba, Plateau State, has sentenced Lukman Musa, a Private to death by hanging for the murder of Abdulrahman Isah, a commercial tricycle rider in Bauchi State.

Presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, the court found the soldier guilty on a two-count charge of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The verdict followed a full trial in accordance with Law 47 of the Armed Forces Rules of Procedure, 1972.The court heard how Musa, in connivance with one Mr. Uba, lured the victim to his apartment at the 133 Special Forces Battalion in Azare in Bauchi under the pretext of needing help to move his belongings. Once inside, the soldier struck the victim with a wooden object, leading to his death.

According to the court, the body was concealed in a sack purchased earlier by Musa and was transported in the deceased’s tricycle. The corpse was later dumped in a village, kilometres away while the tricycle was sold off.

Delivering the judgment, Bello described the soldier’s actions as “heinous, deliberate, and premeditated,” stressing that such conduct is a betrayal of the Nigerian Army’s core values of discipline, integrity and protection of civilians.

The court sentenced Musa to death by hanging for culpable homicide and two years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition. He was also dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy, subject to confirmation of the sentence by the appropriate military authority.

On the second count, the court found Musa guilty of unlawful possession of ammunition after he failed to account for four missing rounds from his service rifle. A subsequent search of his house uncovered additional ammunition hidden in a bag.

Speaking after the judgment, Aminu Mairuwa, a major and acting Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, said the ruling reflects the Nigerian Army’s zero tolerance for indiscipline and criminal conduct.

“This is a clear demonstration that no personnel are above the law. The Army remains committed to justice, order and professionalism,” he said.The stepbrother of the deceased expressed gratitude to the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and the Nigerian Army, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, for delivering justice.

“This verdict has brought peace to our family,” he said after the judgment was announced.